Definitions of Phrasal Verbs

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CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In this chapter, the researcher discusses the related literature which serves as the basis of the research. This chapter consists of two main parts. The first part is theoretical description which elaborates the theories underlying this research. The second part is theoretical framework in which the researcher explains the relevance of the theories to the study.

A. Theoretical Description

In this part there are some theories which are going to be elaborated. They are the theories of phrasal verbs, the errors, and the students’ mastery.

1. Phrasal Verbs

a. Definitions of Phrasal Verbs

According to Celce-Murcia Larsen-Freeman 1983: 265, traditional grammarians define a phrasal verb as a verb followed by a particle variously described as a preposition, an adverb, or some combinations of the two, e.g.: 1 I got up at 6 a.m. arose 2 I will look into that. investigate 3 He put off the meeting. postponed Meanwhile, according to McArthur 1973: 9, “a phrasal verb is formed by combining a simple verb and one of a number of particles.” He states that the result is called ‘phrasal’ because it looks like a phrase rather than a single word. 10 “Although it looks like a phrase, it functions as a single word; it is a unit” McArthur, 1973: 9. It is agreed by Celce-Murcia Larsen-Freeman 1999: 426 who state that a phrasal verb PV is made up two or more parts that function as a single verb. For example, in sentence 1, got up is categorized as a phrasal verb since it is a combination of a verb got and a particle up, but they function as a single verb which creates a single meaning. As stated above by Celce-Murcia Larsen-Freeman 1999: 426, phrasal verbs are sometimes called two-word verbs because they usually consist of a verb plus a second word. They also mention that the second word often referred to as an adverb. However, this research refers to the second word of the phrasal verb as a particle to show its close association with the verb, and to distinguish it from prepositions and other adverbs. Further, Figure 2.1 will show the basic structure of the use of a phrasal verb turn out in which the particle out directly follow the verb turn in a sentence Jamie turned out the light. Figure 2.1 A Basic Structure of Separable Phrasal Verb in which a Particle Follows the Verb Celce-Murcia Larsen-Freeman, 1999: 426 11 Figure 2.1 shows the basic structure of a sentence in which a particle follows the verb directly. While, according to Celce-Murcia Larsen-Freeman 1999: 426, although the particle is part of the phrasal verb, it need not be contiguous with it. Figure 2.2 will show a tree where the particle is not contiguous with the verb but rather is separated from it by an intervening direct object. This structure, later, is called as phrasal verbs with optional separation. Figure 2.2 A Basic Structure of Separable Phrasal Verb in which a Particle Comes after the Direct Objet Celce-Murcia Larsen-Freeman, 1999: 427 However, there is one type of phrasal verbs namely inseparable phrasal verbs in which the particles must follow the verbs directly. Thus, only one tree is possible. 12 Figure 2.3 A Basic Structure of Inseparable Phrasal Verb Celce-Murcia Larsen-Freeman, 1999: 429 From the structure, it may already be obvious that ESL EFL students are dealing with a structure that is very difficult for them. Moreover, according to Celce-Murcia Larsen-Freeman 1999: 425, “the meaning of phrasal verbs is often noncompositional: that is someone can know the meaning of the verb and the apparent meaning of the particle, but when they are put together, a unique meaning is derived.” 4 I gave my mother the letter. 5 Jennifer gave up. The meaning of the verb gave in sentence 4 is absolutely different from the phrasal verb gave up in sentence 5. Gave in sentence 4 means to hand something to somebody, while gave up in sentence 5 means to surrender. 13 A final learning challenge involves the conditions governing optional or obligatory separation of the verb and the particle for phrasal verbs used transitively as shown by Figures 2.1 and 2.2 and some examples as follows. 6 She turns out the lights. 7 She turns the lights out. 8 She turns them out. 9 She turns out them. Sentences 6 and 7 have phrasal verbs with optional separation. On the other hand, sentence 8 has a phrasal verb in which the particle is separated from the verb since its direct object is a pronoun. Then, sentence 9 is an incorrect sentence since the particle is not separated while the direct object is a pronoun. The optional or obligatory separation of the verb and the particle will be discussed further in the types of phrasal verbs.

b. Types of Phrasal Verbs