Final answer:
In the statement 'the police chased the thief', the phrasal verb is 'chased'. A phrasal verb is a verb that interacts with an adverb or preposition, forming a phrase whose meaning differs from the original verb. 'Chase' here denotes to pursue with an intent to catch.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the sentence 'The police chased the thief', the phrasal verb is 'chased'. A phrasal verb is a verb that is combined with an adverb or preposition. The resultant phrase has a different meaning than the original verb. In this case, 'chase' means to pursue in order to catch or catch up with.
Learn more about Phrasal Verb