Can Phrasal Verbs Be Separated?
Some phrasal verbs can be separated and some can’t. Unfortunately, there is no ‘rule’ to help you know which ones can be separated. The best way to learn them is by listening to phrasal verbs in use. You will start to be able to hear if it sounds natural to separate them or not. Sorry, I know you were hoping for a magic ‘rule’ but there isn’t one!
Here are some examples of phrasal verbs that can be separated:
Take back. E.g. ‘I need to take back my library books tomorrow.’ E.g ‘I need to take the books back tomorrow.’
Put away. E.g. ‘Can you put away the dishes?’ E.g ‘I’ve already put the dishes away.’
Write down. E.g ‘Write down everything the teacher says.’ E.g ‘I am trying to write all the things he says down but he talks so fast.’
Here are some examples of phrasal verbs that can’t be separated:
Count on. E.g ‘I can always count on my mother to help me out.’
Turn into. E.g. ‘Discussions always turn into arguments when I talk to him.’
Look into. E.g ‘I promise that I’ll look into the case for you.’
Leave a comment below with three separable and three inseparable phrasal verbs in sentences and I’ll check them and comment back with my feedback.
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Sarah x
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Sarah x
