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 Nouns and adjectives based on phrasal verbs

Nouns made from verb + particle

In English we often create nouns from verbs, e.g. to invite / an invitation. In the same way it is sometimes possible to create a noun from a phrasal verb. Look at these examples.

Tom: I got ripped off when I phoned that 0976  number [informal: was charged too much].

The call cost five dollars a minute!

Lily: Yes, those numbers are a big rip-off.

Mona: Her son dropped out of college last year. [gave up his course]

Ed: Mm. There were a lot of dropouts that year. I wonder why?

Mick: Somebody broke in last night and stole a computer from the school. [entered by force to steal something]

Pat: Really? That's the second break-in this year!

Rules for the use of verb + particle'noun forms

The plural is formed by adding -s to the particle, not the verb, e.g. break-ins, dropouts, rip-offs
An exception is goings-on [strange or amusing events], which is always plural.

There was a lot of gossip about the goings-on at the office party.

Verb + particle noun forms are sometimes written with a hyphen, e.g. break-in, check-in, cover-up; and sometimes without, e.g. dropout, checkout, crackdown.

Nouns with -out and -over are usually written as one word, e-g. dropout, lookout, checkout, handout, changeover, leftovers.

Nouns with -in, -up and less common particles usually have a hyphen, e.g. lie-in, mix-up, put-down, run-through.

In pronunciation, the stress is on the verb, not the particle. 

a BREAK-in at the office college DROPouts

Nouns made from particle + verb

Some phrasal verbs have noun forms where the particle is first. The stress in pronunciation is usually on the particle.

phrasal      verb particle + verb noun     example

set out       outset                                     I knew from the outset that there would be problems. [beginning]

fall down    downfall                                  The economic crisis caused the downfall of the government. [sudden failure or end]

look on       onlooker                                 Crowds of onlookers watched as the police arrested the man. [someone who watches an event but doesn't take part]

Adjectives

There are also adjectives which are based on phrasal verbs. Make a note of any you meet.

e.g. a broken-down vehicle [vehicle whose engine had stopped working] a breakdown truck

[truck which helps drivers who have broken down] blocked-up drains [drains where the water cannot flow properly]

Find the correct noun form in these sentences. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1 There was a big pile-up / up-pile on the motyway involving five vehicles.

2 The government has announced a series of back cuts / cut backs in funding for universities in order to save money.

3 When the higher taxes were announced there was a public outcry / cryout.

4 Several standerbys / bystanders did nothing while the thieves robbed him of his cash.

5 The new drug marks a throughbreak/ breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.