Did you know that you can actually make a three-part phrasal verb using a two-part one? We do this by adding a preposition to introduce an object.
get on with
fall out with
make off with
catch up with
catch up on
keep up with
come round to
Here are some examples:
I have a friend called Ana and we get on. (no object)
I get on with Ana. (with + object 'Ana')
I didn't agree with my friend but I eventually I came round. (no object)
I didn't agree with my friend but eventually I came round to her point of view. (to + object 'her point of view')
Tyson Gay caught up with Usain Bolt at the last minute. (with + object 'Usain Bolt')
In the above sentence 'catch up with' means 'to reach someone by moving faster' (alcanzar a alguien).
However, this phrasal verb can also mean 'to reach the same level as someone or something' (ponerse al mismo nivel que alguien/algo). For example, if you miss a class you should try to catch up or catch up with the work you missed.
We can also form the noun 'catch-up' from this phrasal verb, which means 'the process of trying to reach the same level' and collocates with the verb 'play'. For example: I've missed so many lectures that I'm playing catch-up.
There is also the phrasal verb catch up on, which means 'to do more of something you want or need' (ponerse al día/ recuperar). This phrasal verb collocates with 'work' and sleep'.
catch up on work - ponerse al día con el trabajo
catch up on sleep - recuperar el sueño
So, to sum up, don't forget thatsome two-part phrasal verbs can be made into three-part ones by adding a preposition to introduce an object and that all three-part phrasal verbs are inseparable. As always, don't forget to look out for them in real contexts and practise them in your classes with your teacher.
