Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #280 of 305

Phrasal Verbs: Separable and Inseparable

Some can split; some cannot.

Examples

  • Turn the light off.
  • Look after your sister.

Key rules

  • Separable phrasal verbs can be split by an object (turn the light off / turn it off)
  • Pronoun objects must go in the middle (turn it off, not turn off it)
  • Inseparable verbs cannot be split (look after your sister)
  • Many are in dictionaries marked separable or inseparable

Common mistakes

  • Turn off it → Turn it off
  • Look your sister after → Look after your sister
💡 Tip: Pronouns split the verb every time.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
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Related Intermediate topics

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Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.