DID YOU KNOW?
Why are some phrasal verbs separable and others aren't?
Some phrasal verbs are separable because the "particle" acts like a direction or result, while others are inseparable because the second word is really a preposition tied to its object, or the whole phrase functions as a single unit.
A bit more detail...
A. Separable phrasal verbs (verb + particle)
Example:
turn off the light
turn the light off
Here,
off is a particle, not a preposition.
It doesn't need an object of its own
It modifies the verb's meaning (result/state)
Because the object belongs to the verb, it can move:
turn off the light
✔️ turn the light off
These verbs often describe:
completion (finish up)
direction (pick up)
change of state (shut down)
B. Inseparable phrasal verbs (verb + preposition)
Example:
look after the child
❌ look the child after
Here,
after is a preposition:
It must have an object (after the child)
The object belongs to the preposition, not the verb
Because of that, nothing can be inserted between them.
These verbs often involve:
relationships (look after, depend on)
abstract meanings (believe in, rely on)
TRY ALL OF OUR PHRASAL VERBS PRACTICE TESTS:
Phrasal Verbs (TO PULL +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO CALL +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO BREAK +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO COME +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO STAND +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO TURN +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO TAKE +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO GET +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO GET +) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO RUN +) (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO PUT +) (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO GO +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (TO MAKE +) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (Mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal Verbs (Mixed) 2 (I)
Phrasal Verbs (Mixed) 3 (I)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/not separable 1 (I/A)
Separable/not separable 2 (I/A)
Don't forget to check out our
PHRASAL VERBS LIST for the most common phrasal verbs used in everyday English!
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