Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, especially in everyday conversations and informal writing. They consist of a main verb and one or more ptopics (prepositions or adverbs) that change the verb’s meaning.
For example:
- Take off – The plane took off at 8 AM.
- Run into – I ran into an old friend yesterday.
Phrasal verbs can be categorized into separable and non-separable phrasal verbs. Understanding the difference between them will help improve both writing and speaking skills.
Separable Phrasal Verbs
Separable phrasal verbs allow an object to be placed between the main verb and the ptopic. This means the verb and the ptopic can be separated without changing the meaning.
Examples of Separable Phrasal Verbs
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Turn down (to reject)
- She turned down the job offer.
- She turned the job offer down.
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Put off (to postpone)
- They put off the meeting until next week.
- They put the meeting off until next week.
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Give away (to donate)
- He gave away all his old clothes.
- He gave all his old clothes away.
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Bring up (to mention)
- She brought up an interesting topic during the discussion.
- She brought an interesting topic up during the discussion.
Rules for Using Separable Phrasal Verbs
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When using a pronoun (e.g., it, him, her, them), it must go between the verb and the ptopic.
- ✅ I turned it down.
- ❌ I turned down it.
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With long noun phrases, it’s usually clearer to keep the verb and ptopic together.
- ✅ She brought up an issue about company policies.
- ❌ She brought an issue about company policies up.
Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
Non-separable phrasal verbs cannot have an object placed between the verb and the ptopic. The verb and the ptopic must stay together.
Examples of Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
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Look after (to take care of)
- She looks after her younger brother.
- ❌ She looks her younger brother after.
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Run into (to meet unexpectedly)
- I ran into my teacher at the mall.
- ❌ I ran my teacher into at the mall.
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Get along with (to have a good relationship)
- He gets along with his coworkers.
- ❌ He gets his coworkers along with.
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Come across (to find by chance)
- She came across an interesting book in the library.
- ❌ She came an interesting book across in the library.
Rules for Using Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
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The object must come after the entire phrasal verb.
- ✅ She looks after her grandmother.
- ❌ She looks her grandmother after.
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You cannot place a pronoun between the verb and the ptopic.
- ✅ I ran into him yesterday.
- ❌ I ran him into yesterday.
How to Identify Separable and Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
There are no fixed rules for determining whether a phrasal verb is separable or non-separable. However, these tips can help:
- Check a dictionary – Many dictionaries indicate whether a phrasal verb is separable or not.
- Try using a pronoun – If you can place a pronoun between the verb and the ptopic, it’s separable.
- Look at common usage – Some phrasal verbs always stay together, while others are flexible.
Common Phrasal Verbs Categorized
Separable Phrasal Verbs
- Call off (to cancel) – They called off the wedding.
- Hold up (to delay) – Traffic held up the bus.
- Take over (to assume control) – He took over the project.
Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
- Look into (to investigate) – The police looked into the case.
- Take care of (to care for) – She takes care of her parents.
- Go through (to experience) – He went through a tough time.
Why Learning Phrasal Verbs is Important
Phrasal verbs are commonly used in English conversations, informal writing, and even professional settings. Understanding how to use them correctly can:
- Improve fluency in spoken English.
- Help in writing clearer and more natural sentences.
- Boost confidence when using English in different contexts.
Final Thoughts
Mastering separable and non-separable phrasal verbs is essential for anyone learning English. While some phrasal verbs allow flexibility in word order, others must always remain together.
By practicing their usage in sentences and familiarizing yourself with common phrasal verbs, you can enhance your vocabulary and communication skills effectively.