Phrasal Verbs and Common Errors - II

       

Phrasal Verbs and Common Errors - II

Dear readers, in the previous post we discussed some of the common errors associated with phrasal verbs that the English as non-native speakers encounter in their daily conversation.

Let us understand what a phrasal verb is. A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb. For instance, take off, shut down, switch off, call on, etc. The following examples deal with errors associated with the usages of the phrasal verbs.

1.   Avoid adding prepositional particles that are not necessary after the verbs.

·       We are discussing about grammar.                               (Incorrect)

·       We are discussing grammar.                                        (Correct)

·       Karnan doubts about the assignment he has received. (Incorrect)

·       Karnan doubts the assignment he has received.          (Correct)

·       Murugesh has to contact with the principal.                (Incorrect)

·       Murugesh has to contact the principal.                       (Correct)

 

2.   Generally, Indian speakers of English use particles in a way that cannot be translated into English.

·  My brother is going to participate at the 2023 Common Wealth Games.                                                                        (Incorrect)

·       My brother is going to participate in the 2023 Common Wealth Games.                                                                      (Correct)

·       We have to concentrate in our work.                         (Incorrect)

·       We have to concentrate on our work.                      (Correct)

·       Today’s youths should care for their parents.            (Incorrect)

·       Today’s youths should care about their parents.       (Correct)

 

3.       We confuse verbs used with a preposition with verbs that do not need a preposition.

·       A doctor attended his customer.                                              (Incorrect)

·       A doctor attended to his customer.                                         (Correct)

·       The selection committee approved of the appointment.         (Incorrect)

·       The selection committee approved the appointment.            (Correct)

Using the phrasal verbs mentioned above in daily conversation makes one sound fluent in English. Let us catch up with other interesting information in the next post.

 

Author:

Dr. K. Nandhakumar

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science (Autonomous)

Coimbatore- 641 020

 

Reference:

Saumya Sharma. (2017). Common Errors in Everyday English