Real Grammar - Susan Conrad, Douglas Biber 2009
Phrasal Verbs
Unit 13 Come on!
What have you learned from your grammar textbook?
Phrasal verbs consist of two words: verb + particle that together have a special meaning. They can be transitive (with an object) or intransitive (no object). They are most common in informal speech.
What does the corpus show?
A
Intransitive phrasal verbs that refer to activities are very common in conversation and fiction writing, but rare in academic writing. They have two common uses:
* came over = came to our house
B
The single most common phrasal verb in conversation is intransitive come on. It has three typical uses:
C
Surprisingly, many transitive phrasal verbs are common in both informal speech and formal writing.
A few transitive phrasal verbs are even more common in academic writing than in conversation or fiction (see Section E on next page). These phrasal verbs usually sound more formal and precise than their one-word verb alternatives. Compare the following:
• We have carried out some laboratory research ... —> We have done some laboratory research ...
• Pocock and Hudson (1978) point out that... —> Pocock and Hudson (1978) say that...
D
Frequency information. Here are some of the most common phrasal verbs in conversation and fiction (see examples with these verbs on next page):
• I think we should get out of here.
• It forces you to sit up a little bit straighter.
• Ok, I’ll set up an appointment for lunch.
• Can I take off my jacket?
E
Frequency information. Here are some of the most common phrasal verbs in academic writing:
• Rutherford carried out a series of experiments using very thin foils of gold.
• Iron formations make up less than one percent of all sedimentary rocks.
Activities
1 Notice in context: Read the conversation and the two paragraphs from different types of writing. Circle the phrasal verbs.
1. Conversation: Getting ready to bring out the cake at a birthday party.
Elizabeth: Oh, we’re supposed to sit down now?
Bernard: Yeah, sit down, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: Okay.
Bernard: Come on. Ready, guys? Come on. Everybody has to come.
2. Fiction writing: It’s a woman’s birthday, but she didn’t tell anyone.
“I was going to have dinner with the girls tonight.” She smiled, but she looked sad. She felt a thousand years old. She hadn’t told anyone on the set, but it was her fortieth birthday, and she had had happier ones. “Do you want to come along? We thought we’d go out for hamburgers.”
3. Academic writing: Test-taking.
When participants arrived at the computer lab to take the test, they completed a consent letter and a questionnaire. All computers had been set up so that the test-takers could start working on the test immediately after receiving instructions.
2 Practice the meanings: Choose the correct phrasal verb from the box to complete the meaning of each passage. Write the letter of your choice on the line in front of the item.
1. Lara: Cookies go well with milk.
Almir: I love these jelly ones. Do you like them?
Lara: Oh they’re alright.
Almir: They’re good. ..., eat one.
2. Most students started learning English seriously after entering a private junior and senior high school in Japan. Five levels were ..., depending on the length of time
already spent learning English.
3. It’s alright - just rub it in! ...!
4. Nena: Are you hungry?
Thanh: I’m beyond hungry!
Nena: Me too. I’m starving!
Thanh: ..., let’s go get something to eat!
5. For many years cigarette manufacturers survived the accusation that cigarettes killed you. Then anti-smoking groups ... that cigarette smoking was anti-social and
could harm friends and family. That damaged the cigarette manufacturers more than you might imagine.
3 Practice informal writing: imagine that you are completing a class project with a friend. Write an email to your friend to talk about the project. Use at least two phrasal verbs common in conversation.
Example
When you get off work, why don’t you come over so we can work on the project.
4 Practice academic writing: Now write a formal description of the project to hand in to your teacher. Use at least three phrasal verbs that are typical of academic writing.
Example
To carry out this project, we had to set up the experiment.