What you need to know about the Phrasal Verbs

[a new soul]

Phrasal Verbs are verbs with more than one word.

Examples: pick up, put down, turn on, turn off
Phrasal verbs are also called 'two-part verbs' and 'three-part verbs.'


There are two types of phrasal verbs: separable and non separable.

Non separable phrasal verbs are sometimes called 'inseparable.'

Non separable (n) phrasal verbs must always remain together:
Example: take off = (n) to depart
CORRECT: The plane took off at noon. (verb + particle together)
XX INCORRECT: The plane took at noon off. (both words MUST be together)


Separable (s) phrasal verbs can be written three different ways:
Example: take off (s) = to remove clothing
CORRECT: Sara took off her jacket. (verb + particle together)
CORRECT: Sara took her jacket off. (verb + particle separated by noun)
CORRECT: Sara took it off. (verb + particle separated with a pronoun)
XX INCORRECT: Sara took off it. (the pronoun MUST be in the middle)