Search results for 'tag:Difference between tag:Phrasal verbs' matching tags 'Difference between' and 'Phrasal verbs'

Re: The verb complement in "John tends to get hungry."

ouyang — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:58:39 GMT

Actually, I do classify some infinitive phrases that follow the verbs "seem" and "appear" as subject complements. I'm not totally comfortable with that view, so I like to consider other options.

Also, I'm not fluent in Chinese, but I think that there is an important difference between its verb-verb complements and the verb-verbal phrase complements that begin with "tend" and "dare". Verb-verb complements are like phrasal verbs in that they combine as immediate constituents before they take objects. In phrases like, "tends to be late", "tends to say stupid things", and "dare to be different", I would say that the infinitves combine with their own complements before the infinitive phrase combines with the main verb. If this is true, then I think I need to correct my previous post because these infinitive phrases must be noun phrases functioning as objects.

I would say that the dependent clauses which follow "seem" and "appear" in sentences like, "It seems that he is confused" and "It appears that he fixed the computer" are noun clauses functioning as predicate nouns. The fact that a common noun can't be substituted for predicate nouns which follow these verbs is significant, but it doesn't matter. When verbal phrases follow these verbs, then the type of verb which forms the verbal shouldn't affect the function of the phrase. The verb phrases in the following sentences should have the same pattern, "He seems to be honest.", "He seems to be the owner.", and "He seems to eat a lot." Since these phrases could function as predicate nouns in sentences like, "The important thing is to be honest.", "The best job is to be the owner." and "My advice is to eat a lot.", I would say they are also predicate nouns when they follow "seem" and "appear". Different substitutions might imply that they are predicate adjectives. I wish there was a strong argument for classifying the infinitves which follow "seem" and "appear" as their immediate constituents, but I don't think there is.

I really don't get it :(

anglista2008 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:29:02 GMT

Hey there,

Guys, you know what? I've been studying English for so many years, I've read so many grammar books, I've been consulting lots of smaller and bigger issues concerning grammar... and still (sic) there are things that drive me crazy :( Take a look at this one:

1. the present simple vs the present continuous... what's the difference between:

a) Do you think what I think?
and
b) Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
and
c) Are you thiniking what I think?
and
d) Do you think what I'm thinking?

2. again, the same issue, but a different example

a) When we're getting familiar with a language, we may say we're picking it up. (why on earth the present continuous twice?)
and
b) When we get familiar with a language, we may say we pick it up.

3. Again, PS vs PC

a) My dad works as a sales representative.
b) My dad is working as a sales representative.

I often see, or read, that people use "work" in the PC, and I dunno why... I've always thought that "work" is something more stable, and more permanent, like "live"

4. phrasal verbs and their use... can I say the following sentences?

a) If we don't work out our problems, they'll hit us with a greater force next time.
b) With such a bad English, I'll never be able to get across.
c) With such a bad English, I'll never get across.

Thanks in advance,

pick up/ take up

New2grammar — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:19:10 GMT

Example 1
A: You are a fine cook.
B: It's something I picked up/took up in school.

Example 2

C: I took up/picked up garding after losing my sight. It makes me feel useful and worthwhile.

What's the difference between the two phrasal verbs?

Thanks.

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

New2grammar — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:27:18 GMT

Thanks, Yankee.

2a . I didn't know the over was part of the phrasal verb fork over. I've always used "fork out". Is there any difference between the two prepositions?

2b. I know it creates a subtle difference with the word 'few' but not little. Are we talking about the same difference?

bend down vs bend over

New2grammar — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:03:07 GMT

What do you call this action, bend down or bend over?
http://www.thomas.olsson.name/LebanonSyria2005/050619_094252C.jpg

What about this one?

http://img103.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2007/06/22/10-46wkfgt1o.jpg

What's the difference between the two phrasal verbs?

Thanks

Re: better off

Grammar Geek — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:41:33 GMT

There is a HUGE difference between saying "Mary is better than Sue" and "Mary is better off then Sue."

Do you know the phrasal verb "to be better off"? It meas to have an improved condition.

The original says that the other group has better living conditions than they do, not that they are simply better.

(Did you mean to say "on the island they haven't been sent to"?)

Re: coming across/running into a black cat

Hoa Thai — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:22:35 GMT

Hi,

Regarding unexpectedness, I find come across and run into do have some similarity. Both can be used with either something or somebody. For examples:

1a. I came across an old building.

1b. I came across an old diary in her desk

1c. I came across this problem.

1d. I ran into some trouble.

1e. He ran into criticism after remarks he made in a television interview.

2a. I had come across so many foreigners who have told me tales of the wonders of their own land.

2b. I've never come across anyone quite like her before.

2c. I came across / ran into a herd of sheep.

2d. I came across / ran into an old friend of mine.

In short, I'm still at loss for the exact rules that dictate the difference between the two phrasal verbs. Nevertheless, I sense that people don't use run into with either someone they meet the first time or insentient (physical) objects.

By the way, somehow I feel come across does not fit well with either 1d or 1e, but I cannot explain why.

hang/hold on

User_gary — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:45:12 GMT

Bob's on the other phone - would you like to hang on?

Bob's on the other phone - would you like to hold on?

What's the difference between "hang on" and "hold on" in the above sentences?

If both mean the same then is the both phrasal verbs can be used interchangeably in all contexts?

Re: difference between

Ant_222 — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 10:55:01 GMT

Â«what is the difference between phrasal verbs and verb-preposition combinations?Â»

Well, in case of the former prepositions are unseparable from the verbs...

difference between

Supernova — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 07:51:06 GMT

what is the difference between phrasal verbs and verb-preposition combinations?[