16. Focus on: phrasal verbs with gerund objects, 1

Gerunds — verbs in the -ing form that function as nouns — can serve as objects of many phrasal verbs.

It is more common to use gerund objects with nonseparable two- and three-word phrasal verbs:

She's counting on getting that job.

gerund

I don't feel up to playing hockey.

gerund

but gerund objects are sometimes used with separable phrasal verbs:

/ wouldn't put robbing a bank past him.

gerund

Mr. Taylor wants to give smoking up.

gerund

1. believe in p.v. When you believe in something or believe in doing something, you have a strong opinion about something that is important to you.

/ believe in working hard and saving money.

Maria doesn't believe in sex before marriage.

2. believe in p.v. When you believe in something, you think it exists.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Ned is an atheist; he doesn't believe in God.

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3. believe in p.v. When you believe in people, you have confidence in them and believe what they say because you think they are honest, correct, or competent.

/ don't care what anyone else says, I still believe in you.

We want to believe in you, but we need some proof that your invention really works.

1. carry on p.v. When you carry on, you continue as before, despite a difficult experience in your life.

You'll have to carry on for the sake of the children.

It was difficult for Mrs. Nelson to carry on after her husband died.

2. carry on (with) p.v. When you carry on, carry on with an activity, or carry on doing an activity, you continue it or continue doing it.

The men stopped working when General Chambers entered the room, and he told them to carry on.

She plans to carry on with her career after the baby is born.

They knew I was trying to sleep, but they carried on talking and singing anyway.

3. carry ... on p.v. When you carry something on an airplane, you keep it with you in the passenger compartment instead of giving it to an airline agent to put in the baggage compartment.

This suitcase is pretty big. I hope they'll let me carry it on.

You should carry your laptop computer on. You don't want to take any chances.

carry-on n. Carry-on, carry-on luggage, carry-on baggage, carry-on bags, and so on, are not given to an airline agent to put in the baggage compartment but are kept in the passenger compartment of an airplane.

I'm staying only one night in New York, so all I'll need is a carry-on bag.

4. carry on (about) p.v. [informal] When you carry on or carry on about something, you are very persistent and vocal about something that upsets you.

/ forgot our anniversary, and she carried on all day.

I said I was sorry; now will you please stop carrying on about it?

1. count on p.v. When you need something important to happen or a certain condition to exist, you are counting on it. When you need someone to do something important, you are counting on that person.

I'm counting on getting a ride to the airport with Betty.

Farmers count on a lot of rain in the spring.

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2. count on p.v. When you rely on someone or something for help or support if you need it, you are counting on that thing or that person.

I'm going to sell this car and buy one that always starts. I need a car I can count on.

The governor said that she's counting on our support in the next election.

3. count on p.v. When you are certain than something will happen or that a certain condition will exist, you are counting on it.

Man/in makes a fool of himself at every party. You can count on it.

You can count on crowds and long lines at Disney World if you go in August.

1. get through (with) p.v. When you get through, get through with an activity, or get through doing an activity, you finish it or finish doing it.

/ have so much homework that I might not get through with it until midnight.

After you get through washing the dishes, you can start ironing.

2. get through (to) p.v. When you get through or get through to someone, usually on a telephone or radio, you are able to speak to that person.

Nancy tried calling Jim last night, but she couldn't get through.

It wasn't easy, but I finally got through to my brother in Borneo.

3. get through (to) p.v. When you get through or get through to someone, you make that person understand your opinion or point of view.

Mr. Toylor has tried to make his daughter understand why it's important to work hard in school and get good grades, but he just can't get through. I've explained it a hundred times!

What do I have to do to get through to you?

4. get ...through p.v. [informal] When you get something through someone's head, you make that person understand your opinion or point of view. When you get something through your own head, you understand it.

/ finally got it through my son's head that I was serious about sending him to military school.

When are you going to get it through your head that our marriage is over?

5. get... through p.v. When something gets you through a difficult experience, it comforts and supports you.

Julia's faith in God was what got her through the loss of her husband.

He was very nervous about giving the speech, so he had a drink to help get him through the ordeal.

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1. go for p.v. [informal] When you go for something, you like it a lot.

Erik really goes for scuba diving.

Let's go to a different nightclub. I don't go for jazz.

2. go for p.v. When you go for something, you try to achieve it.

The gymnast said she was going to go for the gold at the next Olympics.

After she finished her master's, she went for a Ph.D.

3. go for p.v. [always continuous] When you have something going for you, you have an advantage that makes it easier for you to do something or get something that you want.

Sam's not especially good at basketball, but he has one thing going for him — he's seven feet tall. I have ten years of experience going for me, so I think I have a good chance of getting the job.

4. go for p.v. When you say that a statement about one person or thing goes for another person or thing, you mean that it is also true about the other person or thing. When you say "That goes for me," you are agreeing with someone else's opinion.

Heather said that Tom was a jerk, and I said that that goes for Tom's brother Bill, too.

Betty's really angry about it, and that goes for me, too.