Phrasal Verbs - an Introduction

Phrasal verbs


There are four types of phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable and they can take an object or not. Here is a guide to the basics of phrasal verbs.

• I picked Tom up. OR I picked up Tom.

• They put their friends up. OR They put up their friends.

Separable phrasal verbs MUST be separated when a pronoun is used:

• We picked him up at the station. NOT We picked up him at the station.

• They put them up. NOT They put up them.

Inseparable phrasal verbs always remain together. It makes no difference if a noun or pronoun is used.

• We set off for the beach. / We set off for it.

• They are looking after the children. / They are looking after them.

Phrasal Verbs which Don't Take Objects

Some phrasal verbs do not take objects. These phrasal verbs are ALWAYS inseparable.

• They thieves got away.

• The bus broke down on the way to work.

• She got up early.

TIP!

If you are not sure whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable, ALWAYS use a noun or nouns phrase and DO NOT separate. In this manner, you will always be correct!

Separable Phrasal Verbs: bring up, take off

• They brought up their children to respect others.

• She took off her jacket before she began the lesson.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs: look for, set off

• She was looking for her books when he arrived.

• They set off for a wonderful holiday in Hawaii.

Three-word Phrasal Verbs

Some verbs are followed by two prepositions (or adverbs). These phrasal verbs are ALWAYS inseparable.

• I'm looking forward to meeting John. OR I'm looking forward to meeting him.

• They didn't get on with their mother. OR They didn't get on with her.


EXAMPLES OF PHRASAL VERBS

• act up (no object): misbehave (for people); not work properly (for machines).

"The babysitter had a difficult time. The children acted up all evening."

"I guess I'd better take my car to the garage. It's been acting up lately."

• act like (inseparable): behave in a way that's like _____ .

"What's wrong with Bob? He's acting like an idiot."

Note: This phrasal verb is very informal.

• add up (1. no object): logically fit together.

"His theory is hard to believe, but his research adds up."

Note: This phrasal verb is often negative.

"His theory seems, at first, to be plausible, but the facts in his research don't add up."

add up (2. separable): find the total.

"What's the total of those bills? Could you add them up and see?"

add up to (inseparable): to total.

"The bills add up to $734.96. That's more than I expected!"

• ask out (separable): ask for a date.

"Nancy has a new boy friend. Joe asked her out last night."