Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1996. Vol. 1. Eger Journal of English Studies.(Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 24)

Péter Antonyi: Phrasal verbs: an attempt at a syntactic account

ANTONYI PÉTER PHRASAL VERBS: AN ATTEMPT AT A SYNTACTIC ACCOUNT Abstract: This paper first looks at the most important syntactic features and possible movements regarding phrasal verbs, on the basis of which it aims to question the validity of the traditional distinction between phrasal and prepositional verbs. Then it puts phrasal verbs into a larger framework of double object constructions proposed by Larson (1988) and tries to investigate the extent to which the linguistic phenomena and properties that phrasal verbs exhibit may be explained through rules and principles that apply to other double object constructions. This more general approach is also believed to shed light on the real nature of the difference between phrasal and prepositional verbs. 1 Introduction to phrasal verbs 1.1 Phrasal vs prepositional verbs: grammatical criteria (tests) The traditional definition of phrasal verbs states that a simple phrasal verb comprises a verb and an adverbial particle. The idea that phrasal verbs really exist, in other words, that the verb and the particle constitute one unit can easily be proven by clefting, a test for general constituency: General formula: It is (single constituent slot) that... (la) Drunks would put off the customers. (lb) * It is off the customers that drunks would put. (lc) It is the customers that drunks would put off. 91