The term "particle" is used informally to refer to the preposition or adverb that follows the verb in a phrasal verb. These words often change the meaning of the verb in a way that's difficult to predict from the verb alone.
Here's a breakdown:
* Phrasal verb: A combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that creates a new meaning.
* Particle: The preposition or adverb that combines with the verb.
Examples:
* "Turn off" - "Turn" is the verb, "off" is the particle (adverb).
* "Look up" - "Look" is the verb, "up" is the particle (adverb).
* "Get along" - "Get" is the verb, "along" is the particle (preposition).
So, while "particle" isn't a formal grammatical term, it's a helpful way to talk about the parts of a phrasal verb.