phrasal verbs separable and inseparable

1. Phrasal Verbs:
Separable and
Inseparable
Living in the
Digital Age
5
Focus on Grammar 4
Part V, Unit 12
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Cell Phone Help LineCell Phone Help Line
This is my first cell phone. I’m trying to figure
it out. I looked over the directions, but I’m still
confused. When I make a phone call, all the
buttons on the phone light up, and I don’t
know what to do. Help!
Every time I want to call up someone on
this cell phone, the phone cuts me off. I
just heard a strange sound. I’m afraid this
phone is going to blow up! Please help me
out!

3. Transitive Phrasal Verbs 1Transitive Phrasal Verbs 1
Most transitive phrasal verbs are separable. This means
that noun objects can go after the particle or between the
verb and the particle.
noun object
He can’t figure the instructions out.
noun object
He can’t figure out the instructions.

4. Be Careful!Be Careful!
If the direct object is a pronoun, it must go between
the verb and the particle.
I turned offturned off it.
I turnedturned it offoff.

5. He charged upcharged up the battery in
the handheld computer.
He chargedcharged the battery in
the handheld computer upup.
Usage NoteUsage Note
When the noun object is part of a long phrase, we
usually do not separate the phrasal verb.

6. Practice 1Practice 1
Form three sentences about
technology for each separable
phrasal verb.
put together
= assemble
close down
= close by force
switch on
= start a machine
pick out
= select, identity
set up
= prepare for use
turn off
= stop a machine
look up
= try to find
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
Example:
 It’s difficult to put together a new device.
 It’s difficult to put a new device together.
 It’s difficult to put itit together.

7. Transitive Phrasal Verbs 2Transitive Phrasal Verbs 2
Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. This means
that both noun and pronoun objects always go after the
particle. You cannot separate the verb from its particle.
Sam ranran his boss intointo.
He ran him intointo.
Sam ran intoran into him.
Sam ran intoran into his boss.

8. Transitive Phrasal Verbs 3Transitive Phrasal Verbs 3
A small group of transitive phrasal verbs must be
separated.
I have to do overdo over the report.
I have to dodo the report overover.

9. Practice 2Practice 2
Don’t carry on a cell phone
conversation during a wedding.
Example:
Use the separable and inseparable
phrasal verbs to discuss good
manners when using a computer or
cell phone.
carry on
= continue
1.
start over =
start again
talk into
= persuade
get out of
= benefit
from
go after
= pursue
count on
= depend on
4.
2. 5.
3. 6.
Inseparable
verb

10. Transitive Phrasal Verbs 4Transitive Phrasal Verbs 4
Some transitive phrasal verbs are used in combination with
certain prepositions. A phrasal verb + preposition combination
(also called a three-word verb) is usually inseparable.
I think I should drop out of this class.
I can’t keep up with new technology.

11. Practice 3Practice 3
Is it difficult for you to keep up with new
technology? Why or why not?
1. Have you ever dropped out of a class?
2. Have you come up with any good ideas this week? What
were they?
3. Who do you usually team up with in class activities?
4. If someone makes a decision that you disagree with, do
you still go along with the decision?
5. When do you get out of your classes?
6. When was the last time you followed through with
something? What was it?
Example:
Ask and answer the questions with a
partner using three-word verbs in
your answers.
It’s difficult to keep up with
new technology because I
haven’t learned to use the
old technology yet.
It’s difficult to keep up with
new technology because I
haven’t learned to use the
old technology yet.

12. Intransitive Phrasal VerbsIntransitive Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. This means that
they do not take an object.
Dad, hang up and call
the fire department!
Son, hold on. I’m busy talking
on the phone right now.

13. Practice 4Practice 4
Last week the photocopy
machine ran out of toner.
close down
= stop operating
play around
= have fun
call back =
return a call
empty out
= empty completely
blow up
= explode
sign up
= register
1. 4.
2. 5.
3. 6.
Example: run out
= not have enough
Use the intransitive phrasal verbs to
describe your experiences with
different forms of technology.

14. ReferencesReferences
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education
and its licensors. All rights reserved.