Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language. They consist of a verb + ptopic (preposition or adverb) and often have meanings that differ from the original verb. However, not all phrasal verbs function the same way. Some are separable, meaning the object can be placed between the verb and the ptopic, while others are non-separable, meaning the verb and the ptopic must stay together.
Understanding the difference between separable and non-separable phrasal verbs can greatly improve your English fluency. In this topic, we will explore their definitions, provide examples, and offer tips for mastering their usage.
What Are Separable Phrasal Verbs?
Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and the ptopic or after the entire phrase. However, when using a pronoun (such as it, him, her, them), the object must be placed between the verb and the ptopic.
Examples of Separable Phrasal Verbs
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Turn off – to stop a machine or device.
- Please turn off the lights before you leave.
- Please turn them off before you leave. (Correct)
- Please turn off them before you leave. (Incorrect)
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Pick up – to collect someone or something.
- I will pick up the kids from school.
- I will pick them up from school. (Correct)
- I will pick up them from school. (Incorrect)
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Put on – to wear something.
- She put on her coat before going outside.
- She put it on before going outside. (Correct)
- She put on it before going outside. (Incorrect)
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Take off – to remove something (especially clothing).
- He took off his shoes before entering the house.
- He took them off before entering the house. (Correct)
- He took off them before entering the house. (Incorrect)
Key Rule for Separable Phrasal Verbs
- If the object is a noun, it can be placed after the verb or at the end.
- If the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the ptopic.
What Are Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs?
Non-separable phrasal verbs do not allow the object to be placed between the verb and the ptopic. The verb and the ptopic must stay together as a unit.
Examples of Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
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Look after – to take care of someone or something.
- She looks after her younger brother.
- She looks after him. (Correct)
- She looks him after. (Incorrect)
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Run into – to meet someone unexpectedly.
- I ran into my old friend at the mall.
- I ran into her at the mall. (Correct)
- I ran her into at the mall. (Incorrect)
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Get along with – to have a good relationship with someone.
- She gets along with her coworkers.
- She gets along with them. (Correct)
- She gets them along with. (Incorrect)
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Come across – to find something by chance.
- I came across an old photo in my drawer.
- I came across it in my drawer. (Correct)
- I came it across in my drawer. (Incorrect)
Key Rule for Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
- The object always comes after the entire phrasal verb.
- The verb and the ptopic must stay together.
How to Identify Separable and Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
Since there is no universal rule to determine whether a phrasal verb is separable or non-separable, the best way to learn is through practice and memorization. However, here are some useful tips:
- Check a dictionary – Many dictionaries indicate whether a phrasal verb is separable or non-separable.
- Use example sentences – Reading and writing examples can help you remember the correct structure.
- Practice with pronouns – If inserting a pronoun sounds unnatural, the phrasal verb is likely non-separable.
- Learn common groups – Some verbs, like "turn off" and "pick up," are commonly separable, while others, like "look after" and "run into," are typically non-separable.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake #1: Separating Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
❌ She looks her after. (Incorrect)
✅ She looks after her. (Correct)
Mistake #2: Misplacing the Object in Separable Phrasal Verbs
❌ Can you turn off it? (Incorrect)
✅ Can you turn it off? (Correct)
Mistake #3: Confusing Similar Phrasal Verbs
- "Take off" (remove something) is separable.
- She took off her hat. (Correct)
- "Take after" (resemble someone) is non-separable.
- She takes after her mother. (Correct)
List of Common Separable and Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
Separable Phrasal Verbs
- Bring up (mention) → She brought up an interesting topic.
- Call off (cancel) → They called off the meeting.
- Give away (donate) → He gave away his old clothes.
- Hold up (delay) → Traffic held up our trip.
- Put off (postpone) → They put off the wedding.
Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
- Look forward to (anticipate) → I look forward to the holidays.
- Get over (recover) → She got over her cold.
- Run out of (exhaust supply) → We ran out of milk.
- Take care of (look after) → He takes care of his pets.
- Come up with (invent) → She came up with a great idea.
Understanding separable and non-separable phrasal verbs is essential for mastering English. Separable phrasal verbs allow flexibility with object placement, while non-separable ones require the verb and ptopic to stay together.
To improve your phrasal verb usage:
✔ Practice regularly with example sentences.
✔ Memorize common verbs that belong to each category.
✔ Use online tools or dictionaries to verify correctness.
By mastering these rules, you will enhance your English fluency and communicate more naturally!