What are the definitions of “rattle off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Quote figures rapidly.
She RATTLED OFF loads of statistics which nobody could understand.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “rattle off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb rattle off is to quickly and easily say or list a series of things, such as facts, numbers, or names. This often implies that the speaker knows the information well and can recite it without much thought.
What are the different verb forms of “rattle off”?
| Root Verb | rattle off |
| Third Person Singular Present | rattles off |
| Present Participle | rattling off |
| Simple Past | rattled off |
| Past Participle | rattled off |
Example
He can rattle off all the countries in the world in alphabetical order.
Example
She rattles off the multiplication table with ease.
Example
He is rattling off the names of all the US presidents.
Example
Yesterday, she rattled off the entire list of ingredients in the recipe.
Example
The facts were rattled off so quickly that it was hard to keep up.
What kind of phrasal verb is “rattle 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
“rattle 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
He rattled off the names of all the countries in Europe.
Example
She rattled off the phone numbers of all her friends.
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
“rattle 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
He rattled off the names of all the countries in Europe.
Example
She rattled off the phone numbers of all her friends.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “rattle off”?
Good things to know
Does “rattle off” have an informal or formal tone?
Rattle off is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. In more formal settings, it may be replaced with synonyms such as 'recite' or 'list.'
