What are the definitions of “marry off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To arrange a marriage for someone.
There's a merchant in Krondor with a homely daughter who he wants to marry off.
- 2To arrange a marriage for someone, especially a daughter.
They had daughters to marry off, businesses to sell, vacations they'd been waiting to take.
- 3To arrange a marriage for someone, especially in a strategic or financial sense.
They tried to marry their daughter off to a wealthy businessman.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “marry off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb marry off is to arrange a marriage for someone, usually a daughter. This often involves finding a suitable partner for the person and organizing the wedding.
What are the different verb forms of “marry off”?
| Root Verb | marry off |
| Third Person Singular Present | marries off |
| Present Participle | marrying off |
| Simple Past | married off |
| Past Participle | married off |
Example
Her parents wanted to marry her off to a rich man.
Example
He marries off his daughters to wealthy families.
Example
They are marrying off their daughter to a successful businessman.
Example
Her family married her off when she was only 18.
Example
She was married off to a man she barely knew.
What kind of phrasal verb is “marry 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
“marry 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
Her parents married her off to a wealthy man.
Example
They married off their daughter to a successful businessman.
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
“marry 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
Her parents married her off to a wealthy man.
Example
They married off their daughter to a successful businessman.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “marry off”?
Good things to know
Does “marry off” have an informal or formal tone?
Marry off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as discussing historical practices or cultural traditions.
