Phrasal verbs (I)  In modern English it is very usual to place prepositions or adverbs after certain verbs so as to obtain a variety of meanings: look for = search for, seek look for = search for, seek look out = beware look out = beware look after = take care of look after = take care of  The student need not try to decide whether the combination is verb + preposition or verb + adverb, but consider the expression as a whole. It is also important to learn whether the combination is transitive (i.e. requires an object) or intransitive (i.e. cannot have an object): look for is transitive: I am looking for my passport look for is transitive: I am looking for my passport look out is intransitive: Look out! A car is coming! look out is intransitive: Look out! A car is coming!

Phrasal verbs (II)  Note that it is possible for a combination to have two or more different meanings, and to be transitive in one/some of these and intransitive in others: e.g. “take off” can mean remove. It is then a transitive expression: he took off his hat. e.g. “take off” can mean remove. It is then a transitive expression: he took off his hat. “Take off” can also mean “rise from the ground”(used of aircraft). Here it is intransitive: the plane took off at ten o’clock. “Take off” can also mean “rise from the ground”(used of aircraft). Here it is intransitive: the plane took off at ten o’clock.

Phrasal verbs (III)  Transitive expressions - The position of the object : nouns objects are usually placed at the end of these expressions: I’ m looking for my glasses. With some expressions, however, they can be placed either at the enf or immediately after the verb, i.e. He took off his coat or he took his coat off. With some expressions, however, they can be placed either at the enf or immediately after the verb, i.e. He took off his coat or he took his coat off. -Pronoun objects are sometimes placed at the end of the expression: I am looking for them. -But they are more often placed immediately after the verb: he took it off