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On Some phrasal verbs with on share a meaning of dependence/reliance, e.g. depend on*, rely on*, count on*, hinge on*, hang on*, ride on. REFERENDUM RESULT CRUCIAL, SAYS PM The prime minister said, ‘Everything hinges on the result of next week’s referendum. The future prosperity of the nation hangs on this crucial day of decision.’ Politicians of all parties agree that everything rides on the government securing a Yes vote. On can also convey the idea of continuing in an irritating or boring way, for example, harp on [talk repeatedly about something in a way that others find boring or irritating], keep on, go on (and on), ramble on [talk or write for a very long time in a boring way] and drone on [talk for a long time in a very boring way and in a monotonous voice]. Don’t keep on about the garden! I’ll mow the lawn tomorrow. We had a tedious lecture from the boss. She just went on and on about punctuality. He droned on for hours about ancient civilisations; everyone fell asleep. Read on, press on, live on and dwell on* [think or talk about a particular subject for too long] also emphasise continuation over time.
HOUSING MINISTER HONOURS CHAMPION OF THE POOR
‘Her death is a great loss to society, but her memory will live on’, said the minister. Grouping verbs in this way can help you to remember them. Now look at these news items which contain some of these and other examples of phrasal verbs with on.
headlines
The country has been 1
by the latest rail strike,
CURATOR FINDS LOSTwith MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT no rail services at all running today. The railway service
The curator, Mr Jackson Bedgrove, happened on* the lost manuscript while searching the 2 some time, but if today’s has been museum’s archives for some missing 18th century letters. As for he focused his attention on* theaction text, 3 tothe theimportance rail industry. prolonged it may As prove he said, he could hardly believeiswhat he was reading. he read on, he realised of what he’d found... The Minister for Transport commented: ‘The country has been suffering from a 4
of local strikes since the first
EDUCATION EXPERT EXPRESSES CAUTION ON HOME SCHOOLING 5
and one one in Nortown lastfrowned month. Iton* was Phoebe Garrett stated that home schooling was often by politicians, and she herself 6 pitch strike led to another. Things reached had some doubts as to its effectiveness. However, to spring a new piece of legislation on parents successfully educating their children at home was right, shehope said. that The education secretary will last week and wenot can only this 7 insists that she will press on with plans to introduce a new law... is that come to an end soon.’ The minister’s 8 things will only start to improve once people appreciate the CHILDREN’S PRANK TURNS TO TRAGEDY
seriousness situation. A 13-year-old girl who stole a car and took itofforthe a joyride admits that friends led her on. The prank resulted in the serious injury of a 25-year-old mother of two...
The verbs marked with * on this page are all transitive. 30
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced
