In Abstract nouns^x, Phrasal verbs^x

A review:It's a one-syllable wordI think of it primarily as a verb, but it is an abstract noun as well.It's an ergative verb - like bake. I baked a cake, the cake baked in the oven. (But it's not bake!)It forms a phrasal verb with "up" If it is done at home, it does happen...

He took over the desk: He (possibly forcibly) took control of it, displacing anyone else who may have been using it!!! The army took over the village. This is a more usual use of the phrasal verb take over. However, you can have, in another meaning: He took over the desk: He assumed...

There is no rule. Words with these prefixes have come about through accidents of history. The most usual is "un-", but always consult a dictionary. The following does not really answer your question, but you may find it somewhat useful anyway, especially if you're willing to work to dig some...