Question 1

How do I know if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, there is no single rule that works for every phrasal verb. However, there are some helpful patterns. Most two-word phrasal verbs that take a direct object are separable: "pick up" (pick it up), "turn off" (turn it off), "put on" (put it on). Most three-word phrasal verbs are inseparable: "look forward to" (look forward to it, not "look it forward to"), "get on with" (get on with her, not "get her on with"). Phrasal verbs with intransitive meanings (no object) do not have this problem: "sit down," "stand up," "break down" simply have no object to place. The most reliable method is to check a good learner's dictionary, which will mark each phrasal verb as separable or inseparable.

Question 2

Why must pronouns go between the verb and particle in separable phrasal verbs?

Accepted Answer

This is a fixed rule in English grammar: when the object of a separable phrasal verb is a pronoun (it, them, her, him, me, us), it must be placed between the verb and the particle. "Pick it up" is correct; "pick up it" is always wrong. This rule exists because English pronouns are short, unstressed words, and placing them after the particle creates an awkward rhythm. With full noun objects, both positions work: "Pick up the book" and "Pick the book up" are equally natural. But with pronouns, only the middle position sounds right. This pronoun placement rule is one of the most frequently tested grammar points in Cambridge B1 Preliminary and B2 First exams, so practise it until it becomes automatic.

Question 3

What are some common inseparable phrasal verbs I should know?

Accepted Answer

The most common inseparable phrasal verbs include: "look after" (take care of: "She looks after her elderly parents"), "look for" (search for: "I'm looking for my keys"), "look into" (investigate: "The police looked into the complaint"), "run into" (meet by chance: "I ran into my teacher at the shops"), "get over" (recover from: "He got over his cold quickly"), "come across" (find by accident: "I came across an old photo in a drawer"), and three-word verbs like "look forward to" (be excited about), "get on with" (have a good relationship), "put up with" (tolerate), and "run out of" (have none left). With all of these, the particle stays directly after the verb — you cannot place an object between them.

Separable vs Inseparable Phrasal Verbs Exercises

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