1) A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle that changes the meaning of the verb. Particles affect meaning while prepositions do not. 2) Transitive phrasal verbs take an object and can be separated or inseparable depending on the specific verb. Pronouns must go between the verb and particle. 3) Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object and are always inseparable. The document provides examples and guidelines for identifying and using separable and inseparable phrasal verbs.

1. Phrasal Verbs
Separable/ Inseperable

2. What are Phrasal Verbs?!
1. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a particle
I ran into my teacher at the movies last night.
>> run + into (= meet)
Verb + particle = phrasal verb

3. Particles Vs. Prepositions
Particles are identical to prepositions in appearance but act
differently
Particles effect the meaning of the phrasal verb. Prepositions
do not change the meanings of their proceeding verbs and
are independent of them.
E.g.
Particle: Max ran up the bill. (run up = to make larger)
Preposition: Max ran up the hill. (run keeps its normal meaning in
this case)
Particle: I looked up your number online. (=searched)
Preposition: I looked up to see the helicopter in the sky.
(=actually looked up towards the sky)
So, particles change the meaning of a verb, but
prepositions DO NOT

4. Transitive or Intransitive?
A: Transitive Phrasal verbs
1) TAKE AN OBJECT:
Call off something (=cancel)
Pick out something (=choose)
take away something (=remove)
2) usually SEPERABLE (The particle may
precede or follow the direct object):
E.g. "They turned on the lights" or "They turned the
lights on"
Transitive
Phrasal
Verb
Object
Transitive Phrasal Verb
Object

5. WARNING!!!
BE CAREFUL! when the object is a pronoun, the
particle cannot precede it:
"They turned them on" is correct. (them = the lights)
"They turned on them” (INCORRECT).
I wrote it down. (Correct).
I wrote down it (INCORRECT).
So if the direct object is a pronoun, it MUST go
between the verb and the particle

6. Some Transitive phrasal verbs MUST
be separated and some are
inseparable
Even though they are usually separated, a small
group of transitive verbs must be separated:
E.g.
Keep your jacket on. Not: Keep on your jacket.
Ask Sara out. Not: Ask out Sara
Ask John over. Not: Ask over John
FOR A LIST OF INSEPERABLE TRANSITIVE
PHRASAL VERBS –REFER TO APPENDIX 18 P 16

7. Note that…
In transitive phrasal verbs:
-When the noun object is part of a long phrase, we
do not separate the verb and the particle:
E.g.
I filled out the form from the Sterling Property
Management.
NOT: I filled the form from the Sterling Property
Management out

8. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
Intransitive phrasal verbs
1) DO NOT take an object.
2) Always inseparable:
Catch on =
become popular
Get a head = make progress
Show up =
appear
Sit down =
take a seat

9. Remember
Learn to rely on your intuition when deciding whether a
phrasal verb is separable or inseparable
Try this:
Bring change about
(=make happen)
Bring about change
Which one do you think makes more sense when you pronounce
it?

10. Source
Focus on Grammar 4 - 2011