English – Grammar: Phrasal Verbs Common Separable and Inseparable – 3rd Year Middle School – Algerian Curriculum

Phrasal Verbs: Common Separable and Inseparable

Phrasal verbs are verb + preposition/adverb combinations. They can be separable or inseparable.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

The object can go between the verb and particle or after them.

• Turn off the light / Turn the light off
• Put on your coat / Put your coat on
• Pick up the book / Pick the book up

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

The object MUST go after the particle.

• Look after the baby (NOT: Look the baby after)
• Get along with someone
• Run into an old friend

Common Phrasal Verbs

• get up, wake up, sit down, stand up
• look for, wait for, ask for
• give up, give back, find out
• take care of, look forward to

Exercises

1. Separable or inseparable? Turn off the TV. Look after your sister. Put away your toys.