Topic : Phrasal verbs
To understand phrasal verbs let's first understand the difference between a phrase and a clause
A phrase is a group of words having a finite verb [a finite verb is a verb which takes tenses] which does not make complete sense on its own.
A clause is a group of words with a finite verb which may or may not make sense on its own.If the clause makes sense on its own it is known as Main Clause [a main clause is also known as a simple sentence]
and if it does not make sense on its own it is known as a subordinate clause.
I bought a cat with blue eyes. [no fintie verb hence a phrase]
I bought a cat that has blue eyes. [has a finite verb so a clause]
Idioms/Proverbs/Quotations
- Phrases having implied meanings are known as idioms [as fit as a fiddle.as busy as a bee]
- Sentences having an implied meaning are known as Proverbs. [Rome was not built in a day.]
- Quotations always require a source and when the source is not known we write 'anonymous'
- abide by : If you want to stay at this school, you must abide by the rules. [obey]
- answer back : Don't answer back your mother. [reply rudely]
- add up : Her story just doesn't add up. [make sense]
- account for : I hope you can account for the money you spent! [explain]
- block off : The area was blocked off during the demonstration. [seperate using a barrier]
- Tom will burn himself out if he doesn't slow down. [burn out : become exhausted from over working]
- When the teacher arrived she clammed up. [clam up : refuse to speak]
- The project came up against a lot of criticism. [come up against: be faced with or opposed by]
- He was so exhausted that he conked out in front of the TV. [conk out : stop or fall asleep; the phrasal verb conk out has one more meaning : stop working : The car conked out on the motorway.]
- After a long discussion they managed to even out their differences. [ even out : eliminate differences ; the phrasal verb even out has one more meaning : become level or regular : The road was evened out to make it safer.
Madam,
ReplyDeleteThe quiz on Phrasal Verbs is really very helpful, however something that is disturbing me is the application of the same in the given context. Are there any set parameters(or logic) on basis of which we conclude the usage of Phrasal Verbs, or is it that one should remember the typical usage to tackle them?
Ma'am, acc. to my knowledge conked off also means to fall asleep or collapse. And conked out, as you explained also has the same meaning. Is the usage of conked off in given sentence incorrect?
ReplyDeleteMam, I have the same question which Priyanka Mehta has asked. Isn't "Conked off" correct?
ReplyDeleteDear Payal and Priyanka,
ReplyDeleteconk off : Sl. (from years ago.) to fall asleep. I conked off about midnight. I was so tired that I nearly conked off. I was afraid I would conk out while I was driving.
2. Sl. (always conk out.) [for something] to break down; to quit running;fall asleep. My car conked out finally. I hope my computer doesn't conk out.
Hope this has solved the conk out/off conundrum :)
gud aftrn mam!
ReplyDeleteThe quiz on Phrasal Verbs is really very helpful.also can u also start a cat forum for cat11 students wherin how to go about with preparation,besides studyng the material,is gvn stepwise to climb the ladder 2 'A','B'/'C'
thanks gud day!