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.
GRAMMAR REVIEW! Separable phrasal verbs — pronouns, edge cases, and both-correct answers
Once you know the basic separability rule, the real challenge at advanced level is handling pronoun objects and recognising when both positions are genuinely correct — and when only one is.
Pronoun objects must go in the middle — no exceptions:
Did you pay him back? ✓ Did you pay back him? ✗
I can’t figure it out. ✓ I can’t figure out it. ✗
When both positions are correct (with noun objects):
For separable verbs with a noun object, both positions are usually acceptable:
Don’t pass up that opportunity. ✓ Don’t pass that opportunity up. ✓
However, when the noun object is very long or complex, separation becomes awkward and the unseparated form is preferred:
Turn down the job offer from the company in London. ✓ (preferred)
Turn the job offer from the company in London down. ✗ (awkward)
Inseparable verbs: The object always follows the full phrasal verb:
She looks after her neighbours. ✓ She looks her neighbours after. ✗
Once you know the basic separability rule, the real challenge at advanced level is handling pronoun objects and recognising when both positions are genuinely correct — and when only one is.
Pronoun objects must go in the middle — no exceptions:
Did you pay him back? ✓ Did you pay back him? ✗
I can’t figure it out. ✓ I can’t figure out it. ✗
When both positions are correct (with noun objects):
For separable verbs with a noun object, both positions are usually acceptable:
Don’t pass up that opportunity. ✓ Don’t pass that opportunity up. ✓
However, when the noun object is very long or complex, separation becomes awkward and the unseparated form is preferred:
Turn down the job offer from the company in London. ✓ (preferred)
Turn the job offer from the company in London down. ✗ (awkward)
Inseparable verbs: The object always follows the full phrasal verb:
She looks after her neighbours. ✓ She looks her neighbours after. ✗
For each question, decide which sentence is correct — or whether both are.
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
