Dear all, I have a question regarding phrasal verbs....
in the following sentence "I want to break up with you"
with you is the direct object? it answers the question who? who do I want o break up with? I know that break up is an inseparable phrasal verb...
Can you help me to clarify this doubt!
Good question. I hope I can help you.
This meaning of the phrasal verb, break up is actually intransitive (which means it does not take a direct object); that is why it is followed by the preposition with and then you is the object of the preposition. The function of a preposition is to link a noun or an adjective to a intransitive verb.
The breakdown of your sentence into its parts of speech would be as follows:
I - subject
want - main verb
to break up - to + infinitive phrasal verb
with - preposition
you - pronoun object of the preposition.
You are correct that your sentence answers the question Who do I want to break up with?
|link comment||edited Feb 24 '13 at 15:30 Shawn Mooney Expert|
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