verb + particle + preposition + objectTreat the whole group as one unit. The object comes after the final preposition.
Three-Part Phrasal Verbs
B2Three-part phrasal verbs are fixed groups like put up with, look forward to, and run out of. Keep all three words together and put the object after the full group.
What you'll learn
- Keep all three words together before the object.
- Place the object after the last word.
- Use a noun or -ing form after verbs ending in to.
- Recognize common three-part verb groups as one unit.
- Choose the right group for tolerance, plans, or no supplies left.
Structure
look forward to + noun / -ingHere to is a preposition inside the verb group, so use a noun or an -ing form after it.
Build a sentence
Verb group
Object
lookforwardtothe trip
We look forward to the trip.
Treat look forward to as one unit.
When to use
Tolerance
Use put up with when someone accepts an annoying situation. Maria puts up with the noise from the street.
Positive expectation
Use look forward to for something you expect with pleasure. Tom is looking forward to his vacation.
Nothing left
Use run out of when a supply is finished. We ran out of coffee before the meeting.
Markers
put up withlook forward torun out ofget away withcome up with
Common mistakes
Wrong
We put the noise up with during the party.
Correct
We put up with the noise during the party.
Do not split the group with the object. Keep put up with together.
Wrong
Lisa ran out milk this morning.
Correct
Lisa ran out of milk this morning.
The last preposition is part of the verb group. Run out needs of before the object.
Wrong
I look forward to meet your team.
Correct
I look forward to meeting your team.
In look forward to, to is a preposition, so use a noun or an -ing form after it.
Wrong
Dmitri is looking forward the concert to.
Correct
Dmitri is looking forward to the concert.
The object goes after the final preposition, not before it.
Common misconceptions
❝ If I know the meaning, I can move the object inside the group. ❞
Not with three-part phrasal verbs. The group stays together, and the object comes after the last word.
❝ If I see to, the next verb must be in the base form. ❞
Not here. In look forward to, to belongs to the verb group, so the next verb takes -ing.
Skills in this rule (5)
KEEP_ALL_THREE_WORDS_TOGETHERw5Keep the three words together before the object
In verbs like put up with or run out of, the object comes after the full group. Do not insert the object in the middle.
PUT_OBJECT_AFTER_PREPOSITIONw5Place the object after the last word
The noun or pronoun goes after the final preposition: look forward to the trip, get away with it, run out of milk.
FOLLOW_WITH_NOUN_OR_ING_AFTER_TOw5Use a noun or -ing form after verbs ending in to
In three-part verbs like look forward to, to is a preposition. Use a noun or an -ing form after it, not the base verb.
RECOGNIZE_COMMON_GROUPSw4Recognize common three-part verb groups as one unit
Treat groups like put up with, look forward to, get away with, and run out of as fixed chunks with one meaning.
USE_FOR_REACTIONS_PLANS_AND_SUPPLIESw4Choose the right three-part verb for the situation
Use put up with for tolerance, look forward to for positive expectation, and run out of when nothing is left.