Many English classes stress the importance of phrasal verbs, but few ever concentrate on nouns made from phrasal verbs.

Nouns from phrasal verbs are often used when we are speaking or writing on serious matters in a business or academic situation.  They are often used in serious discussion and debate.

comic

Many compound nouns are derived from phrasal verbs:

  • I would appreciate your input on this project.
  • There seems to have been a breakdown in communications.
  • bystander
  • onlooker
  • walkout
  • income
  • takeover
  • output
  • printout
  • underpass
  • setback

We sometimes use the ~ing form of some phrasal verbs to produce a noun:

  • setting-up
  • closing-down
  • dressing-down

Unlock full access by logging in. Registered users can explore the entire lesson and more.

keyboard_arrow_up