Phrasal Verbs

Unit 19
Phrasal Verbs and the Adverb Right
The adverb right is often used to intensify the meaning of a phrasal verb. Placed before the
particle, right means directly, immediately, or quickly. It is not important whether the phrasal
verb is intransitive, separable, or inseparable. What does matter is whether the action of the
verb is something that can logically be done directly, immediately, or quickly. For example,
it would be illogical to use right with grow up or wear down:
She aimed right at me. (She aimed directly at me.)
I’ll bring it right over. (I’ll bring it over immediately.)
The room warmed right up. (The room warmed up quickly.)
Right can be used when a separable phrasal verb is separated by its object; however, right
cannot be used when the object follows the particle:
He brought my radio right back.
He brought right back my radio.
Infinitive: aim at
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
aim at & aims at
aiming at
aimed at
aimed at
1. aim . . . at p.v. When you point a weapon at people or things, you aim it at them.
The robber aimed the gun right at me.
He was aiming the arrow at the apple, but he missed.
2. aim at p.v. When you aim at something you want, you do what is necessary to get it.
The manager said she was aiming at a 14 percent increase in sales next year.
The new law is aimed at reducing crime in the streets.
3. aim . . . at p.v. When you do something designed to affect one class or type of people, you