Please read the text at your normal speed. The original post is at https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2015/01/14/something-to-look-forward-to-three-word-phrasal-verbs/.
Something to look forward to: three-word phrasal verbs
By Liz Walter
Most phrasal verbs are formed with a verb and a single particle, but a few have two particles. This blog looks at some of the most common ones.
You probably already know the one in the title: “look forward to.” One important thing to remember is that if you use another verb after it, it must be in the –ing form:
+ I’m really looking forward to seeing you. (= I’m pleased and excited because I am going to see you)
Here are some more common three-word phrasal verbs which are well worth learning:
+ come up with = think of something: He’s good at coming up with ideas.
+ face up to = accept and try to deal with a problem: You need to face up to the fact that she’s not coming back.
+ get away with = not be criticized or punished: She shouldn’t be allowed to get away with such bad behaviour.
+ get round to = do something you had been intending to do: I finally got round to calling Joe yesterday.
+ make up for = do something to make a bad situation better: I gave her a nice present to make up for missing her party.
+ put up with = accept something even if you don’t like it: I won’t put up with this behaviour! (Note that although ‘tolerate’ means the same, it is only suitable for formal writing.)
The basic rule for separating three-word phrasal verbs is easy: don’t do it! The only common exceptions I can think of are these:
+ I put his bad mood down to the fact that he was hungry. (= decided that was the reason)
+ I tried to talk her out of going. (= persuade her not to go)
There is also a group of phrasal verbs which consist of a verb and an adverb when they are used as intransitive verbs (with no object), but which need a second particle when they are used before an object. Here are some common examples:
+ ‘Is there any milk?’ ‘No, we’ve run out.’ (= there is no milk left)
+ We’ve run out of milk.
+ I have a lot of work to do, so I must get on. (= start or continue to do it)
+ I must get on with my work.
+ I eat too much chocolate. I really should cut down. (= eat less of it)
+ I really should cut down on chocolate.
This blog has given you a selection of useful three word phrasal verbs, but if you come up against others that you don’t know, just check the Cambridge online dictionary.
