Phrasal Verbs Decoded
by Understanding phrasal verbs better.
There are some common phrasal verbs that language learners are usually familiar with and others that are less common. It is best for the student to try to understand these phrasal verbs in the context of what he hears or reads but there are figurative interpretations that make understanding difficult. I would like to introduce a few common phrasal verbs and explain how they can be learnt.
The phrasal verb “takes off” which is an association of the verb and a preposition, is used literally to refer to a something that has to be removed from a surface or place. So if I take cover off a tablecloth off a table I am removing it. Normally the object is used between the verb and it preposition but that is not always the case in other phrasal verbs.
The figurative case for “take off” occurs when referring to a plane flight that has gone into the air from a runway. There the verb and preposition have to be together. Take off also refers to a show that was adapted from or influenced by another art form. So one could say that many modern science fiction stories about space travel are a take off from the 2001 Space Odyssey. “Take off” can also be used to refer to undressing as in “He took off his jacket when he came into the room.” So phrasal verbs can have more than one figurative sense but the literal meaning is usually one.
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Post CommentWest brook
On October 4, 2008 at 12:46 am
I understand what you are trying to convey. About the only thing you could accomplish here is to try to get people to understand sentence structure, which in today’s environment, probably doesn’t go any place. The proper usage of the English language is being more and more ruined in what is known as the”common usage.” In other words, Just about anything is accepted, right or wrong, if it is generally used. Which phase is right or are they both right? “Take off your hat.” or Take your hat off.” Just a mind teaser for your audiance.