What are the definitions of “count off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Say numbers aloud in a sequence.
They COUNTED the students OFF as they arrived.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “count off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb count off is to say numbers aloud in a sequence, usually to keep track of a group of people or items. For example, it can be used when counting students in a class or items in a list.
What are the different verb forms of “count off”?
| Root Verb | count off |
| Third Person Singular Present | counts off |
| Present Participle | counting off |
| Simple Past | counted off |
| Past Participle | counted off |
Example
The teacher asked the students to count off from one to ten.
Example
He counts off the items on his shopping list as he puts them in the cart.
Example
She is counting off the days until her vacation starts.
Example
Yesterday, they counted off the number of people in the room.
Example
The items were counted off and organized by category.
What kind of phrasal verb is “count off”?
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
“count off” 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 teacher counted off the students as they entered the classroom.
Example
She counted off the items on her to-do list.
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
“count off” 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 teacher counted off the students as they entered the classroom.
Example
She counted off the items on her to-do list.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “count off”?
Good things to know
Does “count off” have an informal or formal tone?
Count off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal contexts, such as in educational or professional settings.
