A question about phrasal verbs

[Luis Lv]

In English there is a kind of phrasal verb which has transivte uasage and intransitive usage plus a proper preposition, for example, cut ... down and cut down on ... Could you tell me more examples like this, and what the difference between them is.

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome back after your 10-year absence, Luis! :-D

In English there is a kind of phrasal verb which has transitive usage and intransitive usage plus a proper preposition, for example, "cut ... down" and "cut down on ..." Could you tell me more examples like this, and what the difference between them is.

 

[Tdol]

for example, cut ... down and cut down on ...

How are they linked by meaning?

 

[Luis Lv]

You may be thinking of what I call phrasal-prepositional verbs. See section 1.6 in this article: https://www.usingenglish.com/articles/phrasal-verbs-multiword-verbs.html

Thank you for your information, which is irrelevant to my question. I have come across some more phrasal verbs like this: catch sb. up & catch up with sb. make sth. up & make up for sth. What I want to know is more such phrasal verbs.

 

[emsr2d2]

... which is irrelevant to my question.

It wasn't remotely irrelevant to your question and that statement comes across as a little rude. It's relevant because you asked about the difference between "cut down" and "cut down on". The former is a phrasal verb and the latter is, as Piscean showed you, a phrasal-prepositional verb.

 

[Luis Lv]

How are they linked by meaning?

The two phrasal verbs mean almost the same.

 

[Tarheel]

The two phrasal verbs mean almost the same.

No, they don't.

English has many phrasal verbs. You don't have to look for them. They pop up every little bit in conversation.

 

[emsr2d2]

The two phrasal verbs mean almost the same.

If you're talking about "cut down" and "cut down on", then no, they don't.

I'm going to cut down that tree. :tick:
I'm going to cut down on that tree. :cross:

He needs to cut down on the fags. :tick:
He needs to cut down the fags. :cross:

(Note: "fags" is slang for "cigarettes".)

 

[GoesStation]

(Note: "fags" is slang for "cigarettes".)

In British English. In the American variety it's an offensive word for homosexuals.

 

[emsr2d2]

It's used that way in BrE as well, unfortunately, but context is everything and I made it clear I was using the cigarette-related slang.

 

[GoesStation]

It's used that way in BrE as well, unfortunately, but context is everything and I made it clear I was using the cigarette-related slang.

I wanted to warn learners not to use fags in American English. It doesn't mean "cigarettes" here.

 

[Luis Lv]

If you're talking about "cut down" and "cut down on", then no, they don't.

I'm going to cut down that tree. :tick:
I'm going to cut down on that tree. :cross:

He needs to cut down on the fags. :tick:
He needs to cut down the fags. :cross:

(Note: "fags" is slang for "cigarettes".)

Please read my question carefully. When it means "reduce", it has both transitive and intransitive usage. Since it's unnecessary to look for such phrasal verbs, can you tell me one?

 

[jutfrank]

Please read my question carefully. When it means "reduce", it has both transitive and intransitive usage.

No, that's not correct. In the 'reduce' sense, it's only used intransitively. The transitive use has a different meaning (e.g. They cut down the trees.)

I don't understand what you're looking for, or why. Are you talking only about phrasal verbs that can be followed by certain preposition phrases?

Are the verbs here what you mean?

 

[Tarheel]

Two things. One, you need to pay attention to our responses. Two, google "phrasal verbs", but first check the UE glossary.

 

[Tarheel]

Please read my question carefully. When it means "reduce", it has both transitive and intransitive usage.

What makes you the person whose job it is to lecture us?

 

[Tarheel]

Since it's unnecessary to look for such phrasal verbs, can you tell me one?

There are hundreds if not thousands of them. In fact, if you were paying attention you saw me use one.

 

[Glizdka]

Not a teacher, just passing by

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English has many phrasal verbs. You don't have to look for them. They pop up every little bit in conversation.

Can I use your sentence? It's beautiful.
(By use I mean save it in my file with "beautiful sentences to quote")

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Phrasal verbs are difficult, but don't let them make you give up on your dreams.

 

[Tarheel]

Not a teacher, just passing by

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Can I use your sentence? It's beautiful.
(By use I mean save it in my file with "beautiful sentences to quote")

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Phrasal verbs are difficult, but don't let them make you give up on your dreams.

Sure.

 

[Luis Lv]

If you're talking about "cut down" and "cut down on", then no, they don't.

I'm going to cut down that tree. :tick:
I'm going to cut down on that tree. :cross:


He needs to cut down on the fags. :tick:
He needs to cut down the fags. :cross:

(Note: "fags" is slang for "cigarettes".)

The doctor advised the patient to cut down smoking. A suggestion that will be taken up , however , is to provide free nicotine gum and patches to the poorest in society to help cut down on smoking. The two sentences above are taken from the dictionary.

 

[GoesStation]

Luis Lv,

Please click "Edit" and insert the spaces that the forum's editor stripped out of post #7.