47. Focus on: particles used without verbs

The particles of many phrasal verbs, especially phrasal verbs that relate to physical movement, are frequently used alone with a form of be. This is very common in conversation when the verb has already been stated at least once and does not need to be repeated:

Customer: Have you run out of coffee? Store clerk: We're out of regular coffee, but we're not out of instant.

Marsha: When do you have to move out of your apartment? Nancy: l have to be out by next Wednesday.

Jim: Did you turn the air conditioner on? Bob: No, it was on when I came in.

Mother: Has your sister woken up yet? Susie: No, she's still not up.

Using the particle without a verb is also common when a phrasal verb can be understood from the context. Sometimes, only one verb is obvious:

Ra u I: Are you through ?

Todd: No, I won't be through until after 4:00.

If this conversation occurred at a place of employment, the phrasal verb could only be get through. But often, in a particular situation, more than one verb might be understood, but to the speakers it is not important or necessary to be specific about which one:

Carlos: Is. Karen in?

Paul: No. she isn't.

If this conversation occurred in an office building, several verbs might be understood: come in, go in, get in, (be) let in.

1. brush up (on) p.v. When you brush up or brush up on something, you study or practice a skill or subject you used to know but have forgotten or partly forgotten.

It's been a long time since I studied algebra, but I'm going to need it if I go back to school to study for my master's degree, so I'd better brush up.

Frank's going to Peru next month, so he's been brushing up on his Spanish.

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1. come inlinto p.v. When people or things enter a place, room, house, and so on that you are in, they come in or come into it. Go out is the opposite of come in.

Welcome to my house. Please come in.

The burglar came into the house through the back door.

2. come in p.v. When a train, bus, airplane, or ship comes in, it arrives. Get in is similar to come in.

Do you know when the train from Kankakee comes in?

David's plane hasn't come in yet.

3. come in p.v. When people arrive at the place where they work, they come in. Get in is similar to come in.

The manager is angry with Linda because she comes in late every day.

I called to tell the boss that I was sick and wouldn't be coming in.

4. come in p.v. When something that a store will sell comes in, it is delivered to the store.

Let's go shopping at Macy's tomorrow; the summer clothes have come in.

I couldn't buy that new book I wanted; it hasn't come in yet.

5. come in p.v. When a thing or skill comes in handy, it is something useful that you like to have available when you need it.

When I travel, I always take a small sewing kit with me; it really comes in handy if a button falls off.

I don't know how to speak Japanese, but knowing how to say the numbers and "please" and "thank you" when I was in Japan sure came in handy.