What are the definitions of “peck at”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Eat very small amounts.
The food wasn't very nice, so I PECKED AT it to look polite.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “peck at”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb peck at is to eat very small amounts of food, often because the food is not enjoyable or the person is not very hungry. It can also be used to describe the way birds eat by pecking at their food with their beaks.
What are the different verb forms of “peck at”?
| Root Verb | peck at |
| Third Person Singular Present | pecks at |
| Present Participle | pecking at |
| Simple Past | pecked at |
| Past Participle | pecked at |
Example
She pecked at her salad during lunch.
Example
He pecks at his food when he's not feeling well.
Example
The birds are pecking at the seeds in the garden.
Example
She pecked at her dinner, not really enjoying it.
Example
The food had been pecked at by the birds.
What kind of phrasal verb is “peck at”?
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
“peck at” 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
She pecked at her food.
Example
The birds pecked at the seeds.
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
“peck at” 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
She pecked at her food.
Example
The birds pecked at the seeds.
Good things to know
Does “peck at” have an informal or formal tone?
Peck at is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
