What are the definitions of “contract out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Give a contract for a service outside the company you work for.
They have CONTRACTED OUT their catering services to save money.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “contract out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb contract out is to give a contract for a service to a company or person outside the company you work for. This is often done to save money or to get specialized services. For example, a company might contract out its cleaning or catering services to another company.
What are the different verb forms of “contract out”?
| Root Verb | contract out |
| Third Person Singular Present | contracts out |
| Present Participle | contracting out |
| Simple Past | contracted out |
| Past Participle | contracted out |
Example
The company decided to contract out its IT services.
Example
She contracts out the marketing tasks to a freelancer.
Example
They are contracting out the maintenance work to a local company.
Example
Last year, they contracted out the security services to a professional firm.
Example
The landscaping work has been contracted out to a specialist.
What kind of phrasal verb is “contract out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“contract out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The company contracted out its cleaning services.
Example
They contracted the catering services out to a local business.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“contract out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The company contracted out its cleaning services.
Example
They contracted the catering services out to a local business.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “contract out”?
Good things to know
Does “contract out” have an informal or formal tone?
Contract out is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in business and professional settings when discussing outsourcing services or work to external companies or individuals.
