What comes after some verbs?

Written by Bill Teach

Look up, the dictionary! Or is it... Look a word up in the dictionary.

Some verbs and particles (preposition or adverbs) are inseparable. Some particles give a whole new meaning to verbs. And others are simply used for emphasizing the movement. But one thing is certain; particles are an inherent part of the English Language.

The use of prepositions and adverbs can, at times, be confusing for the same word can have different functions depending on their position in the sentence. To find out whether it is a preposition or an adverb, simply ask a question.

• I think about travelling all the time. (What do you think about? Travelling.)
  Verb + preposition take an object.

Notice that the preposition ‘about’ needs to come after the verb in the question – it cannot be separated.

• Could you please carry these bags up to the second floor?
  What should I carry?
  The bags = objectWhere should we carry them?
  Up to the second floor = adverbial adjunct
  Up = adverb particle (no object is required)

• Please, sit down.
  Down = adverb particle (adverb particles don't take object)

Take a look at the following examples of the use of the same word as an adverb particle and a preposition.

• He climbed up the stairs. What did he climb up? The stairs (object)
• He looked up and saw Jane. Which direction did he look? Up (adverb)

The use of verbs + particles can fall into these categories:

Phrasal Verbs: particles give new meanings to verbs. They can have literal or figurative meanings.      

• We ran out of gas. (figurative)
• Please, take off your clothes and put on the robe. (literal)
• The plane took off on schedule. (figurative)
•  Let’s look it up in a dictionary. (figurative)

Do not confuse the use of phrasal verbs with the use of verbs + particles.

• I looked up the window and there she was.

Prepositional verbs: Verbs followed by prepositions. These prepositions are essential and are structured as verb patterns.  

• She listens to music all the time.
• John thinks of her all the time.

Verbs of movement: The use of verbs + particles describes the way an action is performed. The particle expresses the idea of movement.   

•  He ran out of the room. (Better than he left the room running).
• They drove past the church. (Better than: They passed the church driving)
•  They danced merrily across the field.  (They crossed the field dancing merrily)