The Influence of L1, Semantic Complexity, and Proficiency on Phrasal Verb Avoidance and Particle Placement Preferences

Phrasal verbs present a challenge to non-native English speakers due to their semantic complexity and differences from learners’ first languages (L1). This study investigates how L1 influence, semantic complexity, and proficiency affect the avoidance of phrasal verbs and particle placement preferences among English, German, and French native speakers. Specifically, it examines two aspects: (1) avoidance behavior and (2) particle placement preferences. The study employs a survey-based experimental design with native speakers of English, German, and French, who complete multiple-choice tasks and sentence production exercises involving phrasal verbs with varying levels of idiomaticity and separability. Participants’ English proficiency is assessed via a background questionnaire.

Preliminary findings from a pilot study with German and English native speakers suggest that while German speakers use phrasal verbs less frequently, they do not completely avoid them. Idiomatic phrasal verbs are avoided more than literal ones, and both groups prefer the V-Prt-O construction, with Germans showing a slightly stronger preference. Proficiency level did not significantly affect usage or particle placement, suggesting that L1 influences and structural similarities between German and English are more important than proficiency.

This study anticipates that German speakers will show less frequent avoidance of phrasal verbs than French speakers due to greater structural similarity between German and English. It also expects that semantic complexity will influence avoidance and particle placement preferences, with proficiency and exposure to English reducing avoidance behaviors. These findings will deepen our understanding of L2 acquisition and inform language teaching strategies for complex lexical structures like phrasal verbs.