English Language Discussion Forums

#1 08-Jan-2005, 14:38

There's like thousands of them and most of which can be replaced with (hey that's another one) a one-word verb.

Take off (clothes) = to remove
Go up/Come up/Walk up = to approach

the problem is: Why do people whose first language is english use phrasal verbs in place of one-word verbs. It just makes life a lot harder for ESL students to learn the language.

Back in the Philippines they taught only one-word verbs, which i think is the same for any other country (except english-speaking countries). But then when i came to America I couldn't understand most of the phrasal verbs except the obvious ones such as get up, sit down, etc.

We all know that a bus is an enclosed vehicle right, like a box? So why say get on/ get off when you should say get in/ get out?

I didn't understand these things back then. I hope i can get an arguement.
Feel free to correct this post.

**RonBee** · #2 08-Jan-2005, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgerfan2002

There's like thousands of them and most of which can be replaced with (hey that's another one) a one-word verb.

Take off (clothes) = to remove
Go up/Come up/Walk up = to approach

the problem is: Why do people whose first language is english use phrasal verbs in place of one-word verbs. It just makes life a lot harder for ESL students to learn the language.

Back in the Philippines they taught only one-word verbs, which i think is the same for any other country (except english-speaking countries). But then when i came to America I couldn't understand most of the phrasal verbs except the obvious ones such as get up, sit down, etc.

We all know that a bus is an enclosed vehicle right, like a box? So why say get on/ get off when you should say get in/ get out?

I didn't understand these things back then. I hope i can get an arguement.
Feel free to correct this post.

Well, we certainly don't use phrasal verbs to make it easier for non-English speakers to learn the language. Also, although take off your clothes pretty much means the same thing as undress, it does not mean the same thing as remove. Also, walk up to the door does not, I think, mean the same thing as approach the door.

I'm sorry I wasn't more help.

**Tdol** · #3 09-Jan-2005, 00:37

We don't speak English for the benfit of ESL learners, I'm afraid. We use phrasal verbs because we like them and they offer us so much choice and the ability to generate new meanings at will.