What are the definitions of “crank out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Produce a lot of something fast.
My boss keeps CRANKING OUT stupid memos.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “crank out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb crank out is to produce a large amount of something quickly, often with the implication that the quality may be lower due to the speed of production. For example, it can refer to a factory producing many products or a writer creating numerous articles in a short period.
What are the different verb forms of “crank out”?
| Root Verb | crank out |
| Third Person Singular Present | cranks out |
| Present Participle | cranking out |
| Simple Past | cranked out |
| Past Participle | cranked out |
Example
The factory cranks out thousands of toys every day.
Example
She cranks out multiple articles for the website each week.
Example
He is cranking out several reports before the deadline.
Example
The band cranked out three albums in just two years.
Example
They have cranked out numerous software updates in the past few months.
What kind of phrasal verb is “crank 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
“crank 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 machine cranked out hundreds of widgets.
Example
She cranked out a new blog post every day.
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
“crank 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 machine cranked out hundreds of widgets.
Example
She cranked out a new blog post every day.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “crank out”?
Good things to know
Does “crank out” have an informal or formal tone?
Crank out is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in casual conversations or informal writing. In more formal settings, it is better to use synonyms such as 'produce,' 'generate,' or 'create' instead.
