What are the definitions of “stave in”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Push or break something inwards.
The police STOVE the front door IN and arrested them.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “stave in”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb stave in is to push or break something inwards, often with force. This can refer to breaking a door, a wall, or any other object that can be pushed or broken inward.
What are the different verb forms of “stave in”?
| Root Verb | stave in |
| Third Person Singular Present | staves in |
| Present Participle | staving in |
| Simple Past | staved in |
| Past Participle | staved in |
Example
The firefighters had to stave in the door to rescue the trapped people.
Example
He staves in the old barrel to make a planter.
Example
The workers are staving in the damaged wall to repair it.
Example
The car accident staved in the front of the vehicle.
Example
The door had been staved in during the break-in.
What kind of phrasal verb is “stave in”?
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
“stave in” 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 police staved in the door to enter the building.
Example
The strong winds staved the window in.
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
“stave in” 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 police staved in the door to enter the building.
Example
The strong winds staved the window in.
Good things to know
Does “stave in” have an informal or formal tone?
Stave in is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
