Inconsistency in terminology is a problem.Murphy's Grammar in Use(Cambridge) is clear for students: the sections of Verb + Preposition isfollowed by Phrasal Verbs. The distinction can be: Verb + Preposition -- [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]the sum of the parts equal the whole; Phrasal Verb -- one knows what "eat" means, one knows what "out" means, one does not automatically know what "eat out" means (the sum of the parts does not equal the whole).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I think the author of this thread was interested in a rule distinguishing separable and non-separable phrasal verbs. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1. If the phrasal verb is inseparable, it is intransitive. TRUE Rule 1 Tempers seem to be boiling over (inseparable and intransitive)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]2. If the phrasal verb is intransitive, it is either separable or inseparable. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Tempers seem to be boiling over ([/FONT]inseparable and intransitive)
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The teacher called on me. Call on takes an object. It is inseparable but transitive.
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[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]3. If it is separable, it must be transitive. I called her up. I called up Mary. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]TRUE Rule 2[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But this all useless, as one is looking for a rule about what is separable and what is inseparable; not what is transitive and what is intransitive.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]So a clearer definition of what is a phrasal verb is in order?[/FONT]