SEPARABLE OR INSEPARABLE PHRASAL VERBS? EXERCISE 2 (ESL)
level: Upper Intermediate/Advanced (B2/C1)
This second separable/inseparable phrasal verbs exercise includes more “BOTH ARE CORRECT” cases than exercise 1, so you will need to think carefully about whether the verb is separable, whether the object is a noun or pronoun, and whether the position shown is the only valid one. Start with exercise 1 if you haven't already.
For each question, choose the sentence that uses the phrasal verb correctly.
1.Which is correct?
Correct answer: The effects wore off in three hours. — wear off is intransitive here — it has no object, so it cannot be separated.
2.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — pass up is separable: "pass up that opportunity" and "pass that opportunity up" are both correct.
3.Which is correct?
Correct answer: You have to pay me back tomorrow. — With a pronoun object, the particle must follow it: pay me back, not "pay back me".
4.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — pay back is separable with a noun object: both "pay back the money" and "pay the money back" are correct.
5.Which is correct?
Correct answer: I can't figure this out. — With a pronoun object, the particle must follow it: figure this out, not "figure out this".
6.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — figure out is separable with a noun object: both word orders are correct.
7.Which is correct?
Correct answer: We get along very well. — get along is intransitive (no object) — it cannot be separated.
8.Which is correct?
Correct answer: Did you find out where she is? — find out followed by a clause: the clause stays after the particle as a single unit.
9.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — give away is separable: both "gave away all her books" and "gave all her books away" are correct.
10.Which is correct?
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT — take off is separable: both "take off your jacket" and "take your jacket off" are correct.
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
More great stuff
American idiomsPhrasal verbs
Varieties of English
Travel English
Language-specific grammar
Connect & follow
About us /
Cookie & privacy policy /
Contact: info (at) learnenglishfeelgood.com
© 2006–2026 LearnEnglishFeelGood.com unless otherwise stated.
Reposting our content is not allowed. See our content policy.