what is the role (or roles) of the word "about"? Clearly, it's part of the prepositional verb "told about". But is it also (and simultaneously) considered to be a separate entity - a preposition? Given the sentence in isolation (i.e. outside

Thanks; that explanation was very informative. There is one point I'm still unclear about. In the sentence "I told her about the facts," what is the role (or roles) of the word "about"? Clearly, it's part of the prepositional verb "told about".

Tell about is one of the 'prepositional verbs', where the prepositional phrase is considered an alternative 'paraphrase' of the direct object . I told her (IO) the facts (DO) I told the facts (DO) to her (prepositional complement) I told her (IO)

I checked the first couple of pages of Google hits for "mention about" and "discuss about" and most of them are totally wrong. Apparently it is a common mistake. However, note that you will get hits on these combinations which are correct

This Post:256204 may or may not be useful, as it is on a similar topic, but not the exact same one. Check it out, noting later in the same thread: "There are a number of particles ( up, down, in, out, on, off, away, back ) which should make

PHRASAL VERB = VERB + PREPOSITIONAL VERB

Here's the relevant definition from that first link. intr.v. verged , verg·ing , verg·es To approach the nature or condition of something specified; come close. Used with on: a brilliance verging on genius. Note the

I have summarized various ways of distinguishing between phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs at Post:256204 . CJ

CalifJim wrote: care about is not a phrasal verb. It's a prepositional verb. care about it , never care it about . CJ What is the difference between phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs? Thanks

care about is not a phrasal verb. It's a prepositional verb. care about it , never care it about . CJ