Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable: separable ones always split with a pronoun in the middle, as in please turn it on, while inseparable ones keep the object after the full particle, as in I look for my keys. Some phrasal verbs, like give up smoking, take no separate object at all.
Grammar Rule
Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable. With pronouns, separable ones always split; inseparable ones are never split.
Common Phrasal Verbs: Rules and Examples
| Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Separable | pronoun always goes in the middle | Please turn it on. I get up at seven every day. |
| Inseparable | object always after the full particle | I look for my keys every morning. She looks after her little brother. |
| No object | fixed expression | He gave up smoking last year. |
Remember: with pronouns, separable ones go in the middle (turn it on); inseparable ones are never split.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using phrasal verbs correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Phrasal Verbs – Common Separable and Inseparable (Get up, Turn on, Look for)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a phrasal verb to be separable?
A separable phrasal verb can split, with the pronoun going in the middle, as in please turn it on instead of turn on it.
What does it mean for a phrasal verb to be inseparable?
An inseparable phrasal verb never splits, so the object always comes after the full particle, as in I look for my keys.
Where does a pronoun go with a separable phrasal verb?
A pronoun always goes in the middle of a separable phrasal verb, as in I get it up, never after the particle.
Can a phrasal verb have no object at all?
Yes, some phrasal verbs are fixed expressions with no object, as in he gave up smoking last year.