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sejpdw
05-10-2007, 02:20 AM
"Nine months ago, I had surgery and was put on pain medication."

In this sentence, what's the meaning of "was put on"?
Is "put on" used as a kind of phrasal verb?
Bridget
05-10-2007, 02:23 AM
Start a course of treatment.
Lucretia
05-10-2007, 08:33 PM
Hi,
I don't think it's a phrasal verb here - on refers to medication, it's just a preposition.
Bridget
05-10-2007, 09:26 PM
Hi,
I don't think it's a phrasal verb here - on refers to medication, it's just a preposition.

Is it a prepositional verb, then?
Rusty
05-11-2007, 03:38 AM
Is it a prepositional verb, then?
A prepositional verb cannot be separated, i.e. the preposition from the verb.
His doctor put him on medication. Put on can be separated.
Bridget
05-11-2007, 06:15 AM
A prepositional verb cannot be separated, i.e. the preposition from the verb.
His doctor put him on medication. Put on can be separated.


I see. So is it a phrasal verb above?
Lucretia
05-11-2007, 08:59 PM
Well, there are different definitions of a phrasal verb. To me it is one that has no obvious semantic connection with the verb itself and gives no clue, for instance, fall out, put up (with) etc.
1.The man fell out of the window.
2.The man fell out with his girlfriend.
3. He put the book up on the shelf.
4. He had to put up with it.
Bridget
05-11-2007, 11:44 PM
Well, there are different definitions of a phrasal verb. To me it is one that has no obvious semantic connection with the verb itself and gives no clue, for instance, fall out, put up (with) etc.
1.The man fell out of the window.
2.The man fell out with his girlfriend.
3. He put the book up on the shelf.
4. He had to put up with it.

My definition would be that phrasal verbs are made up of a verb + adverb. I don't think they have to be wholly idiomatic ("switch on the TV" uses a phrasal verb which is no longer idiomatic.) . A prepositional verb is made by combining a verb + preposition and a phrasal prepositional verb is made up of a verb + adverb + preposition.

Examples:

phrasal verb:

switch on to my idea
switch on the TV


put me up for the night

...

prepositional verb:

believe in God
look after the kid

phrasal prepositional verb:

put up with her
look forward to