GV

Separable Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs where the object can go between verb and particle: turn off the light / turn the light off

intermediate

When to Use Separable Phrasal Verbs

  • •When the object is a noun: Turn off the TV. / Turn the TV off. (both correct)
  • •When the object is a pronoun: Turn it off. (pronoun must go in the middle)
  • •Common separable verbs: turn on/off, pick up, put down, take off, throw away, look up, fill out, figure out.
  • •The particle can separate from the verb when there's a noun object.
  • •Pronouns (it, them, her, him) MUST go between verb and particle.

How to Form Separable Phrasal Verbs

Affirmative (+)

Verb + object + particle OR Verb + particle + object (noun only)

Negative (-)

Don't/Didn't + verb + object + particle

Question (?)

Did you + verb + object + particle?

💡 With pronouns, always separate: pick it up (not pick up it).

Examples of Separable Phrasal Verbs

✓Please turn off the light. / Please turn the light off.

✗Please turn off it.

Both orders work with nouns; pronouns must go in the middle.

✓I picked up the book. / I picked the book up.

✗I picked up it.

Pronoun must separate: I picked it up.

✓She threw away the trash. / She threw the trash away.

✗She threw away it.

Pronoun: She threw it away.

Common Mistakes with Separable Phrasal Verbs

💡 Practice Tips for Separable Phrasal Verbs

  • • Nouns: either order (turn off the TV / turn the TV off).
  • • Pronouns: always in the middle (turn it off).
  • • Learn common separable verbs: turn on/off, pick up, put down, take off, throw away.
  • • Test with 'it': if it sounds wrong in the middle, it's probably inseparable.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.I'm tired — please turn  .
  2. 2.Which two sentences are BOTH correct? 
  3. Question 3: Don't throw blank — I might want it later! (use 'it' and 'away')
    3.Don't throw — I might want it later! (use 'it' and 'away')
  4. Question 4: If you don't know that word, look blank in the dictionary. (use 'it' and 'up')
    4.If you don't know that word, look in the dictionary. (use 'it' and 'up')
  5. Question 5: Please fill blank this form before you see the doctor. (use 'out' once)
    5.Please fill this form before you see the doctor. (use 'out' once)
  6. Question 6: Can you pick blank at the airport at 6pm? (use 'me' and 'up')
    6.Can you pick at the airport at 6pm? (use 'me' and 'up')
  7. Question 7: It's freezing in here — please don't take blank! (use 'it' and 'off' for your coat)
    7.It's freezing in here — please don't take ! (use 'it' and 'off' for your coat)
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