Phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs are idiomatic expressions consisting of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs), the meaning of which differs from the meaning of their constituent words.
The meaning of a phrasal verb cannot be deduced from the meaning of its individual parts. For example, "to look up" does not mean "to look up", but may mean "to look for information" (look up a word in a dictionary).
The meaning of a phrasal verb cannot be deduced from the meaning of its individual parts. For example, "to look up" does not mean "to look up", but may mean "to look for information" (look up a word in a dictionary).
Key features
Unpredictability of the value
This is the most important characteristic. The meaning of a phrasal verb is often completely unrelated to the lexical meaning of its constituent words. You need to memorize the meaning of each phrasal verb separately.
Different particles, different meanings
The same verb with different particles can have completely different meanings. For example: "get up" (get up), "get on" (get on a transport), "get along" (get along).
Separable and non-separable
Some phrasal verbs are separated by a complement (for example, "I looked the word up"), others are not (for example, "I looked after my sister"). The correct placement of the complement depends on the specific phrasal verb and is often determined by its type (transitive/intransitive).
Phrasal verbs in legal English: what to pay attention to
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Specify the valueLegal language requires precision. Phrasal verbs, although convenient, can be ambiguous. If there is a more precise and unambiguous synonym, it is better to use it. For example, instead of to put off you can use to postpone or to adjourn, depending on the context. -
Refer to legal dictionariesWhen working with legal texts, it is always useful to refer to specialized dictionaries of legal English, which provide more precise and contextual definitions of phrasal verbs in a legal context. -
Be careful with the translationDirect translation of phrasal verbs from one language to another can lead to inaccuracies. Carefully analyze the context and choose the appropriate legal term in the target language. -
Don't forget about the contextEven relatively neutral phrasal verbs may sound inappropriate depending on the context. For example, to carry out is more acceptable than to do in the description of legal procedures.
