I've just realized that just as a phrasal verb can be a combination of
a verb + preposition OR adverb, a ...... verb (which is not a phrasal
verb) can also be followed by a preposition OR adverb. So I shouldn't
call it a "prepositional verb". What do we call it then?
A phrasal verb is a verb and an adverb (also
called a particle). If it is composed of a verb and a preposition
(followed by the object of the preposition), then it is not a phrasal
verb.
Among the verbs which are not phrasal verbs are the majority of verbs -
ordinary verbs.
Some phrasal verbs and some non-phrasal verbs have the
property that they are virtually always followed by the same
preposition (followed by an object of that preposition). This
kind of verb is called a prepositional verb. Phrasal
prepositional verbs: come up with, look down on Non-phrasal prepositional verbs: rely on, vouch for
Just because a phrasal or non-phrasal verb is used with a preposition doesn't mean
it's a prepositional verb. It's just
an ordinary verb (not a prepositional verb) if several different prepositions are possible with
the same verb. (go into the house, go around the house, go toward the house)
Phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive. (They fell out. We threw out the trash.)
Prepositional verbs can be transitive or intransitive. (I rely on you. I congratulate you on your success.)
And, of course, all other ordinary verbs can be transitive or intransitive. (I slept. We found the book.)
Phrasal verbs can be idiomatic, and they usually are. (bring up children)
But phrasal verbs can be literal as well. (bring in the dog)
Prepositional verbs can be idiomatic. (come across an unusual flower)
But they are more often literal. (cure the child of measles, approve of that behavior)
The line between literal and idiomatic is rather blurry.
eg 1:
a) Charles came into a fortune = phrasal verb (= idiomatic)
I'd say prepositional, intransitive, idiomatic.
b)
Charles came into the room = prepositional verb (and not a phrasal verb
since the preposition is not part of the verb, it's part of the
adverbial, right?)
I'd say ordinary, intransitive, literal: came into the room, came out of the room, came near the room, ...
eg 2:
a) I've been running up debts these days = phrasal verb
Yes. Phrasal, transitive, idiomatic
b)
I run up to get my Dady's wallet = (verb + adverb) —> "run up" here
is neither a phrasal verb nor a prepositional verb, so what is it?
Interpretation
1: Ordinary verb with an adverb of direction, intransitive,
literal. Interpretation 2: Phrasal with "goal" particle
instead of the usual "neutral" particle, intransitive, literal.
<>to look into a subject matter
Prepositional, intransitive, idiomatic.
to come into a fortune (phrasal
verbs = idiomatic meaning => inseparable, but I know that "into" is
a preposition)
Prepositional, intransitive, idiomatic.
to look into the hole
Ordinary, intransitive, literal. look into the hole, look around the hole, look through the hole, look across the hole
to come into the room (prepositional verbs? = literal meaning = inseparable)
Ordinary, intransitive, literal. come into ..., come out of ..., come toward ..., ...
to talk someone into something = phrasal verb (idiomatic) or prepositional verb (literal)?
Prepositional, transitive, borderline idiomatic/literal. (Literally talking, but "talk into" as "persuade".)
CJ
(By the way, the transitive phrasal verbs, as defined and described
above, are always "separable". And they are the only ones that
are separable.)