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
• They put them up. NOT
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.
