14. Multi-Word Verbs (MWV)

Multi-word verbs consist of a main verb combined with one or more particles (like prepositions or adverbs) that, together, create a new, often idiomatic, meaning. In these verbs, the combination of words changes the literal meaning, making it necessary to interpret them as a unit.

Recognizing Multi-Word Verbs

To identify a multi-word verb, consider whether the verb and particle together create a unique meaning that doesn’t match the individual meanings of each word. For instance:

  • He ended up homeless. Here, ended up means became, which differs from end and up used separately.

Examples of Multi-Word Verbs with Single-Word Paraphrases:

  1. He ended up homeless. (became)
  2. The business took off after that. (succeeded or grew)
  3. The semi-truck had shut down the interstate. (closed)
  4. The court looked at traditional forms of communication. (considered)

When diagramming, treat these verb and particle/preposition combinations as single units under the MV node.

Diagramming Multi-Word Verbs and Identifying Valency

Multi-word verbs can have different valencies based on the sentence’s structure. Let’s look at how to determine the valency by examining the number and function of constituents after the verb.

  1. Multi-Word Verb with Copular Valency:
    • When the multi-word verb functions like a copular verb, it links the subject to additional descriptive information.

    Example Sentence:

    • He ended up homeless.
      • Here, ended up acts as a copular verb connecting He (subject) with homeless (subject complement), describing his state.

    Diagram: image

  2. Multi-Word Verb with Intransitive Valency:
    • When there’s no required element after the multi-word verb, it has an intransitive valency.

    Example Sentence:

    • After that, the business really took off.
      • Here, took off stands alone with no required direct or indirect object, making it an intransitive verb.

    Diagram: image

  3. Multi-Word Verb with Monotransitive Valency:
    • When the multi-word verb requires a direct object to complete the meaning, it has a monotransitive valency.

    Example Sentence:

    • The semi-truck rollover had shut down the interstate.
      • Here, shut down acts on the interstate (direct object), making the verb monotransitive.

    Diagram: image

  4. Monotransitive Multi-Word Verbs with Particle Movement:
    • For some monotransitive multi-word verbs, the particle can move after the direct object. In these cases, both forms are correct:
      • The semi-truck rollover had shut down the interstate.
      • The semi-truck rollover had shut the interstate down.

    • Diagram: image

      • Use … in the diagram to show the particle’s movement after the direct object. Place an arrow to indicate the particle’s surface position in the sentence.