Examples:
* Look up: (To search for information) "I looked up the word in the dictionary."
* Get up: (To rise from bed) "I get up early every morning."
* Put on: (To wear) "She put on her coat before leaving."
* Run into: (To meet someone unexpectedly) "I ran into my old friend at the supermarket."
Characteristics of Verb-Preposition Combinations:
* They can be transitive or intransitive:
* Transitive: They can take a direct object. "She looked up the information."
* Intransitive: They cannot take a direct object. "He got up early."
* They are often idiomatic: This means their meaning is not easily deducible from the individual words.
* They can be followed by different prepositions: The verb can be combined with different prepositions to create different meanings. For example:
* "Look at the picture." (to direct one's eyes)
* "Look after the dog." (to take care of)
* "Look for your keys." (to search for)
Learning Verb-Preposition Combinations:
Learning these combinations takes practice and exposure to the language. You can:
* Read extensively: Pay attention to how they are used in different contexts.
* Use dictionaries and online resources: These can provide lists and examples of phrasal verbs.
* Practice using them in your own speaking and writing.
By understanding verb-preposition combinations, you can improve your fluency and understanding of English.