Verbs + Prepositions
Separable and Inseparable two-word
verbs
(Also see Grammar exercise Unit 4)
Some verbs and preposition combinations create very particular and
specific meanings. Some examples from the unit's reading passage are cut by, die from, try to and decide on. Review the sentences below:
Cut by 50 per cent the number of people who live on less than
$1. per day.
Cut by two thirds the number of children who die
from preventable causes.
Try to reverse the incidence of HIV/AIDS,
malaria and other diseases.
Reduce by 50 per cent the number of
people without access to safe drinking
water.
Note: these sentences have
indirect objects:
Cut by 50 per cent the number of people who live on less than
$1. per day
Reduce by 50 per cent the number of
people without access to safe drinking
water
Because the sentences have indirect objects, the
two-word verbs are separable (see unit 4 for explanation and review). This
means the indirect object can have two possible positions; we could also
write the above sentences this way:
Cut the number of people who live on less
than $1. per day by half
Reduce the number of people without safe
drinking water by 50 per cent.
Note: We cannot separate the verbs +
prepositions die from and try to because they
cannot take indirect objects
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