SEPARABLE OR INSEPARABLE PHRASAL VERBS? EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Upper Intermediate/Advanced (B2/C1)
Not all phrasal verbs work the same way. Some are separable — the object can go between the verb and the particle; others are inseparable — the object must follow the particle. And with pronouns, position is never optional. This first exercise covers the core patterns, with the grammar review explaining the rules in full.
1. Which is correct?
1.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — make up is separable: both "I made up that story" and "I made that story up" are correct.
2.Which is correct?
Correct answer: I drove up to his house. — drive up to contains a preposition — the whole phrase is inseparable.
3.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — blow up is separable: both "blew up the car" and "blew the car up" are correct.
4.Which is correct?
Correct answer: The thieves broke in at around midnight. — break in is intransitive here (no object), so it cannot be separated.
5.Which is correct?
Correct answer: Are you going to come back later? — come back is inseparable — the particle stays in place.
6.Which is correct?
Correct answer: I was trying to speak, but he cut me off. — With a pronoun object, the particle must follow it: cut me off, not "cut off me".
7.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — mix up is separable: both "mix up those words" and "mix those words up" are correct.
8.Which is correct?
Correct answer: Thomas' grandfather passed away last month. — pass away is intransitive (no object) — it cannot be separated.
9.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — pass out (distribute) is separable: both word orders are correct with a noun object.
10.Which is correct?
Correct answer: We took off (=left) after breakfast. — take off (depart) is intransitive — it cannot be separated.
TRY ALL OF OUR PHRASAL VERB EXERCISES:
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (to break +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to call +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to come +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to go +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to make +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to pull +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to put +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to run +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to stand +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to take +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to turn +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 2 (C1/C2)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 1 (I/A)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs list — the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (to break +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to call +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to come +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to go +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to make +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to pull +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to put +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to run +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to stand +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to take +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to turn +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 2 (C1/C2)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 1 (I/A)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs list — the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English
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