Real Grammar - Susan Conrad, Douglas Biber 2009
Verb + Preposition
Unit 14 I can’t think of his name now
What have you learned from your grammar textbook?
Transitive phrasal verbs can be separable: the verb and particle can be separated by the object. But many other multi-word verbs occur with a particular preposition that must immediately follow the verb.
Some verb + preposition combinations are called non-separable transitive phrasal verbs in some textbooks.
What does the corpus show?
A
Verb + preposition combinations are more common than separable phrasal verbs. They are common in both conversation and writing.
B
In conversation and fiction writing, the most common verb + preposition combinations are used to express (1) actions, (2) reported speech, or (3) mental states.
1. I’m waiting for somebody to come and get me.
2. I don’t like to ask for money.
3. I don’t know about that dude.
Frequency information. Here are the most common verb + preposition combinations in conversation and fiction:
C
Some verbs combine with several different prepositions to form multi-word verbs. Each combination has its own special meaning.
In academic writing, verb + preposition combinations often express (1) causative meanings or (2) logical relationships:
1. This procedure may result in a considerable loss of statistical power.
2. Most of the population consisted of individuals born since 1932.
Many of the most common verb + preposition combinations in writing are passive, e.g., be based on, be associated with (see Unit 18).
Frequency information. Here are the most common verb + preposition combinations in academic writing:
• Only 18 grant programs account for almost 85 percent of total government spending.
• Forensic anthropologists seldom deal with population level differences.
• Industrial production depends on factories and machinery that generate material goods.
• The decision to study music or painting could lead to trouble.
Activities
1 Notice in context: Read the conversation and the paragraph from an academic text. Circle the verb + preposition combinations. Some of the verbs are not listed in Sections B-D.
1. Conversation: About weekend plans.
Jen: Alex, you’re coming to the picnic right?
Alex: No. Well maybe I will. I’ll have to think about it.
Jen: We were talking about cooking Cajun food. You really should come.
Alex: I’d like to, but I’ve been really busy looking for a job.
2. Academic writing: About international economics.
Until recently when commercial farming started in West Africa, the main source of food was small local farms. These local farms account for over 90 per cent of the agricultural output of the country. Since these farms depend on human labor, only small areas of land are cultivated. With the increase in both population and the demand for food, technical and mechanical assistance is needed to allow for an increase in the production levels of the local farms. These topics are dealt with in more detail in Chapters 7 and 8.
2 Analyze discourse: Look back at Activity 1. in the conversation, write in the margin by each verb + preposition combination whether it expresses an action, reported speech, or a mental state. Draw an arrow between the combination and its use. In the paragraph, write A (active) or P (passive) above each combination.
3 Analyze and edit: These sentences were written by English learners. Decide if each boldfaced verb is correct. If it is correct, write C on the line. If it is incorrect, cross it out and write the correct form of the verb on the line.
contribute to 1. I would like to contribute at this discussion in order to help find a good solution.
... 2. That rock looks as granite, but it is actually quartzite.
... 3. For example, there are some societies that don’t allow to people to drink alcohol.
... 4. The English language enables us to easily deal with others when we travel outside Jordan.
... 5. I like to hear different topics and discuss about them because I believe it improves my English.
... 6. Competition to produce more natural food will result businesses making investments in the improvement of modern technologies.
4 Practice conversation: Read this conversation. Make it sound more natural by replacing the phrases in bold with verb + preposition combinations. Write them on the lines. Compare your answers with a partner's.
Sandy: Hey, Mark! What’re you doing?
Mark: Uh, just packing. I’m anticipating a call from my sister.
We’re going to Montana this summer.
Sandy: Montana’s beautiful! I was employed by a hotel up there one summer.
Mark: Really? I really need to start trying to find work when I get back. What are you up to all summer?
Now complete the conversation, include at least two more verb + preposition combinations, when you are finished writing, practice the conversation with a partner.
Sandy: ...
Mark: ...