oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

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232 Phrasal verb meanings
6 Adverb in front position
We can sometimes put an adverb in front position, especially one that expresses
movement. This gives the adverb extra emphasis.
The bell rang, and out ran the children.
Five minutes later along came another bus.
There is usually inversion of subject and verb (ran the children). But when the
subject is a pronoun, there is no inversion.
The bell rang and out they ran.
NOTE
We cannot normally use this pattern with a preposition.
NOT into the details we went:
7 Other words formed from phrasal verbs
We can use a verb + adverb as a noun.
Sue was at the airport an hour before take-off.
We offer a complete breakdown service.
We usually stress the verb: 'take-off.
We can also use a passive participle + adverb before a noun.
Sam attacked the wasp with a rolled-up newspaper.
NOTE
Some nouns have the adverb before the verb.
an outbreak of rioting the amused onlookers
We stress the adverb: 'outbreak.
232 Phrasal verb meanings
1 Introduction
a
Some phrasal verbs are easy to understand if you know the meaning of each word.
You'll have to turn round here and go back.
Jeremy stopped and put down both the suitcases.
These verbs express movement.
But often the phrasal verb has an idiomatic meaning.
I've given up smoking. (= stopped)
The idea has caught on in a big way. (= become popular)
NOTE
Sometimes the adverb adds very little to the meaning.
David rang me (up) yesterday.
b
Sometimes there is a one-word verb with the same meaning as the phrasal verb.
The phrasal verb is usually more informal.
Scientists are trying to find out/discover the reason why.
We must fix up/arrange a meeting.
The problem won't just go away/disappear.
The accident held up/delayed traffic for an hour.
You have failed to keep up/maintain your monthly payments.
You've left out/omitted two names from the guest list.
They've put off/postponed the match until next week.
A new company has been set up/established.