Definition / Explanation
Some phrasal verbs are separable, and some are inseparable. With separable phrasal verbs, the object can often go either after the particle or between the verb and particle, depending on the object. With inseparable phrasal verbs, the object must stay after the whole expression. Pronouns are especially important here because they usually must go in the middle with separable verbs. This topic matters because the wrong word order can sound unnatural or grammatically wrong.
Key Rules
- Separable phrasal verbs can take the object in the middle: turn the music down.
- With a pronoun, a separable phrasal verb usually must split: turn it down.
- Inseparable phrasal verbs stay together: look after the baby, not look the baby after.
- Learn each phrasal verb together with its pattern.
- Common separable verbs include turn off, pick up, put on.
Examples
- Please turn the music down.
- Please turn it down.
- I will pick you up at seven.
- She looks after her younger brother.
- We need to work out the answer.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Please turn down it. -> ✅ Please turn it down.
- ❌ She looks her brother after. -> ✅ She looks after her brother.
- ❌ I will pick up you at seven. -> ✅ I will pick you up at seven.