Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Notice where the object can go: ‘turn it off’ AND ‘turn off the light’ — but only one order with pronouns.

Notice

  • Turn off the light. / Turn the light off. / Turn it off. (NOT: turn off it)
  • She looked after the dog. (can’t separate: look after it, not look it after)
  • Give up smoking. / Give smoking up.

Rule

Separable phrasal verbs (turn off, give up) can have the object between the verb and particle, and MUST if the object is a pronoun (turn it off, not turn off it). Inseparable phrasal verbs (look after, look for) always keep verb + particle together.

Practice

  1. Turn ___ the TV. / Turn ___ off. (pronoun)
    Answer: the TV off / it
  2. I need to look ___ my keys. (search for)
    Answer: for
  3. Can you pick ___ up at 6? (collect a person)
    Answer: me
  4. She looks ___ her little brother every day.
    Answer: after
  5. Fill ___ in, please. (the form — pronoun)
    Answer: it

Connect

Practise separable vs. inseparable phrasal verb word order.

Try Error Correction →

CEFR: Writing — use everyday phrasal verbs correctly in connected sentences.

Azizul Hakim
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