I've had this question for a really long time and I can't still figure out how am I supposed to use phrasal verbs.

Why sometimes people just say "my mom's coming tonight" but they also say phrases like "he's coming over to watch a movie".
In the first case we can also say my mom's coming OVER tonight, right?
Why people get rid of the word "over"?.
On the other hand in the second phrase can we also say "he's coming to watch a movie", do we?

It's not only with this phrasal verb but with many others like freak out why you guys sometimes say "my parents freaked when I told them" why in this case you don't say "freaked out". Is there's any grammar rule for this? if so please let me know or people just like to get ride of some words because it sounds better. I don't know it's a little confusing, I'd love if anyone can help me *OUT* with this 😭

Question

I've had this question for a really long time and I can't still figure out how am I supposed to use phrasal verbs.

Why sometimes people just say "my mom's coming tonight" but they also say phrases like "he's coming over to watch a movie". 
In the first case we can also say my mom's coming OVER tonight, right? 
Why people get rid of the word "over"?. 
On the other hand in the second phrase can we also say "he's coming to watch a movie", do we?

It's not only with this phrasal verb but with many others like freak out why you guys sometimes say "my parents freaked when I told them" why in this case you don't say "freaked out". Is there's any grammar rule for this? if so please let me know or people just like to get ride of some words because it sounds better. I don't know it's a little confusing, I'd love if anyone can help me *OUT* with this 😭

WienerBoop · Answer

To answer it simply they both mean the same thing. One just gives less information which can be seen as "informal" or "casual"

SO "my mom's coming tonight" sounds like I'm talking to friends,
BUT "my mom's coming OVER tonight" could be used for anyone.

SO "my parents freaked when I told them" sounds like a teenager said this
BUT "my parents freaked OUT when I told them" sounds more serious and mature. It's formal.

WienerBoop · Answer

@Sam_renteria Exactly! it's like saying "hi" vs "hello" or "what's up" vs "what up".

jadelyne · Answer

In all of the examples you mentioned, you could say both and a native-speaker would understand clearly. Typically when I’ve heard people say « They’re coming over tonight, » they’re using it to refer to their own house. If you were asked if a friend was coming to a party at someone else’s house, you would say, « My friend is coming tonight » I suppose you could add the over but it sounds a little awkward depending on the scenario.

In the second example, technically, « My parents freaked out when I told them » is the right way to say it, but some people chose to shorten it even if it’s not grammatically correct. Honestly, it just sounds more informal if you exclude the phrasal verb.

In the second example, technically, « My parents freaked out when I told them » is the right way to say it, but some people chose to shorten it even if it’s not grammatically correct. Honestly, it just sounds more informal if you exclude the phrasal verb.