Phrasal Verbs and Idioms, Modals, Word order

Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb that is made up of the main verb together with an adverb or a preposition, or both. Generally, their meaning is not obvious from the meanings of the individual words themselves. A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb + a preposition or verb +adverb that when used together, usually take on a different meaning to that of the original verb.

For instance, in the first example, the phrasal verb ‘to look down on someone’ doesn’t mean that you are looking down from a higher place at someone who is below you; it means that you think that you are better than someone.

 Transitivity 

Phrasal verbs can be Intransitive: We broke up two years ago.

They set off early to miss the traffic.

 He pulled up outside the cottage.

Transitive: The police were called to break up the fight.

When the door is opened, it sets off an alarm.

They pulled the house down and redeveloped the site.

A phrasal verb is a phrase that’s made up of a verb and another word or two, usually a preposition but sometimes an adverb. Phrasal verbs work by changing the verb’s meaning based on the preposition that follows them.

It’s easier than you think you probably already know a number of phrasal verbs. For example: Come on, let’s learn some phrasal verbs. The words “come on" in that sentence are a phrasal verb!

Phrasal verb examples:

1. Be sure to put on a life jacket before getting into the boat.
2. We left out the trash for pickup.
3. It’s time to get on the plane.
4. What will she think up next?
5. I’m having some trouble working out the solution to this equation.
6. We’re going to have to put off our vacation until next year.
7. Stand up when speaking in class, please.
8. We’ll have to wake up early if we want breakfast.
9. Take off your shoes before you walk on the carpet.
10. My dog likes to break out of his kennel to chase squirrels.

Idioms

Every language has its own collection of wise sayings. They offer advice about how to live and also transfer some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture/society. These sayings are called "idioms". There are some of the commonly used idioms and sayings can help to speak English by learning English idiomatic expressions.

An idiom is a phrase, saying or a group of words that has a metaphorical meaning, which has become accepted in common usage. An idiom’s symbolic sense is quite different from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. There are a large number of Idioms and they are used very commonly in all languages.

Idioms, in fact, evolve the language; they are the building blocks of a language and civilization. They also have a great intensity to make a language interesting and dynamic.

They provide interesting insights into the use of words, languages and the thought processes of their speakers. They have a sense of mystery and fun about them.
piece of cake

Meaning: something that is easy to do.

Example: Making spaghetti Bolognese is a piece of cake.

       a hot potato

Meaning: a controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with.
Example: The subject of bullying and fighting in my school is a hot potato.

once in a blue moon

Meaning: very rarely.

Example: I go to visit my grandfather only once in a blue moon; he lives in a remote farmhouse.

a bed of roses

Meaning: easy option.

Example: Taking care of my younger sister is no bed of roses; she is very silly

Modals

A modal is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation. Modal phrases are used to express the same things as modals but are a combination of auxiliary verbs and the preposition to. The modals and semi-modals in English are:

1. Can/could/be able to
2. May/might
3. Shall/should
4. Must/have to
5. Will/would

Modals are special verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit..." They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions.

Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:

• They never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...
• They are always followed by an infinitive without "to"
• They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability

Examples of Modal Verbs

Can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must.

We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible. We also use modals to do things like talking about ability, asking permission making requests and offers, and so on. The modal verbs include can, must, may, might, will, would, should. They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility, and so on.

Word order

Word order refers to the way words are arranged in a sentence. The standard word order in English is Subject + Verb + Object. To determine the proper sequence of words, you need to understand what the subject, verb and object(s) are.

The sequence of words is critical when communicating in English because it can impact the meaning of what you’re trying to say. The sentence, “The chicken crossed the road" and “The road crossed the chicken" take on two different meanings because the subject and object are inverted. The same would be true if the verb was used out of order, for example: “Crossed the road the chicken."

Word order is important: it’s what makes your sentences make sense! So, proper word order is an essential part of writing and speaking when we put words in the wrong order, the result is a confusing, and an incorrect sentence.

Types of Word Order    

In English, we follow one main pattern for normal sentences and one main pattern for sentences that ask a question.

Standard Word Order

A sentence’s standard word order is Subject + Verb + Object (SVO). Remember, the subject is what a sentence is about; so, it comes first. For example:

The dog (subject) + eats (verb) + popcorn (object).

The subject comes first in a sentence because it makes our meaning clear when writing and speaking. Then, the verb comes after the subject, and the object comes after the verb; and that’s the most common word order. Otherwise, a sentence doesn’t make sense, like this:

Eats popcorn the dog. (verb + object + subject)

Popcorn the dog eats. (object + subject + verb)

Recap

• A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb+ a preposition or verb +adverb that when used together, usually take on a different meaning to that of the original verb.
• Phrasal verb examples:

Be sure to put on a life jacket before getting into the boat.

We left out the trash for pickup.

• An idiom is a phrase, saying or a group of words that has a metaphorical meaning, which has become accepted in common usage.
• A modal is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation
• Word order refers to the way words are arranged in a sentence. The standard word order in English is: Subject + Verb + Object.