Unit 4: Nouns and Adjectives Based on Phrasal Verbs  unit4.mp3 


This unit explains how nouns and adjectives can be formed from phrasal verbs.

Nouns Made from Verb + Particle


In English, nouns are often created from verbs (e.g., "to invite" becomes "an invitation"). Similarly, nouns can sometimes be formed from phrasal verbs.


Examples:

  • rip off (informal: to charge too much) → rip-off (an instance of being overcharged)


    • Tom: "I got ripped off when I phoned that 0877 number. The call cost five pounds a minute!"


    • Lily: "Yes, those numbers are a big rip-off."


  • drop out of (to give up a course) → dropout (someone who gives up a course)


    • Mona: "Her son dropped out of college last year."


    • Ed: "Mm. There were a lot of dropouts that year. I wonder why?"


  • break in (to enter by force to steal something) → break-in (an instance of forceful entry for theft)


    • Mick: "Somebody broke in last night and stole a computer from the school."


    • Pat: "Really? That's the second break-in this year!"


Rules for the Use of Verb + Particle Noun Forms


  • Plural Formation: The plural is formed by adding '-s' to the particle, not the verb.


    • Examples:

      break-ins, dropouts, rip-offs.


    • Exception: goings-on (strange or amusing events) is always plural.


      • Example: "There was a lot of gossip about the

        goings-on at the office party."


  • Hyphenation:

    • Sometimes written with a hyphen (e.g.,

      break-in, check-in, cover-up).


    • Sometimes written without a hyphen (e.g.,

      dropout, checkout, crackdown).


    • Nouns ending in

      -out and -over are usually written as one word (e.g., dropout, lookout, checkout, handout, changeover, leftovers).


    • Nouns ending in

      -in, -up, and less common particles usually have a hyphen (e.g., lie-in, mix-up, put-down, run-through).


  • Pronunciation Stress: The stress is typically on the verb, not the particle.


    • Examples: a

      BREAK-in at the office, college DROPouts.


Nouns Made from Particle + Verb


Some phrasal verbs form nouns where the particle comes first. The stress in pronunciation is usually on the particle.


Phrasal Verb

Noun Form (Particle + Verb)

Example Sentence

Meaning

set out

outset

I knew from the

outset that there would be problems.


beginning


fall down

downfall

The economic crisis caused the

downfall of the government.


sudden failure or end


look on

onlooker

Crowds of

onlookers watched as the police arrested the man.


someone who watches an event but doesn't take part


Adjectives


Adjectives can also be based on phrasal verbs. Make a note of any you encounter.


Examples:

  • a broken-down vehicle (a vehicle whose engine has stopped working)


  • a breakdown truck (a truck which helps drivers whose vehicles have broken down)


  • blocked-up drains (drains where the water cannot flow properly)


Exercises for Unit 4    unit4.mp3


4.1 Complete the following table. (If a noun form does not exist, write 'none'. Decide whether the noun is written with a hyphen or as one word.)


  • hold on

  • hide out

  • turn over

4.2 Circle the correct noun form in these sentences.


  1. There was a big

    pile-up / up-pile on the motorway involving five vehicles.


  2. The government has announced a series of cutbacks in funding for universities in order to save money.


  3. When the higher taxes were announced there was a public

    outcry / cryout.


  4. Several

    standerbys / bystanders did nothing while the thieves robbed him of his cash.


  5. The new drug marks a

    throuehbreak / breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.


4.3 Complete these sentences with adjective forms of phrasal verbs from the box below.


  1. The robbers aban r in a car park near the airport.


  2. I find his manner


  3. They decided to use


  4. Let's invite Sally - she's very


  5. The pictures of the era.


4.4 Write down the infinitive form of the phrasal verbs from which the adjectives in exercise 4.3 above are formed.


4.5 Match the sentences on the left with a suitable response on the right.


  1. I was looking for a way to turn off the photocopier.


  2. Have you heard about the scandal in the office?


  3. The economy is not doing so well these days.


  4. A database can organise all the information you type into it.


  5. You have to consider how much you spend each month.


    • I know, I need to watch my outgoings.


    • Yes, but I don't understand the input.


    • There's the on/off switch.


    • Yes, there's been a downturn.


    • Mm, amazing goings-on!