Phrasal-prepositional verbs
Phrasal-prepositional verbs consist of a lexical verb followed by an adverbial particle and a preposition, in that order: run up against, do away with. They are particularly characteristic of informal English, and new combinations are constantly being coined. Phrasal-prepositional verbs function like prepositional verbs, taking a prepositional object or a PC in the clause:
We ran up against difficulties. (= encounter)
They have done away with free school meals. (= abolish)
Finally, it is important to realize that many verbs, whether single- or multi-word, can be followed by a PP functioning as a circumstantial Locative/Goal Complement in the clause, as in They went into the garden. They express meanings of place, direction, time or means. They are generally questioned by Where, when or how (Where did they go (to)? How did you come? ) as opposed to What? Who? as is usual with Objects.
Furthermore, there is a parallel between intransitive phrasals like walk down and single verbs of movement followed by a directional Complement (walk down the stairs). In many cases, it is possible to analyze the former as the ellipted version of the latter, especially when the situation is known.
These alternatives also allow us to specify direction as Path + Ground or as Path alone. Compare:
