Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb (or both) that means something different from each of the words that make up the verb. There are two types of phrasal verbs. Separable phrasal verbs can be broken up by other words, while inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be separated by other words.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

You can insert other words into the middle of a separable phrasal verb. Consider the following example, using the phrasal verb take back:

I need to take back the shirt I lent you.

Where’s that shirt I lent you? I need to take it back .

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Inseparable phrasal verbs can be transitive (i.e., they can take a direct object), but you can’t insert that direct object into the middle of the phrasal verb. In other words, they can’t be separated, thus their name. Consider the following examples:

If you focus your education solely on one area, you’ll have nothing to fall back on if you change your mind.

Each child should have at least one older child to look up to .

What does i.e. stand for ? It stands for id est, or that is.

Phrasal Verb Separable or Inseparable Meaning Ask out Separable To ask someone to go out on a date. Bring about, bring on Separable To make something happen Bring up Separable 1) To raise children 2) To raise a topic Call back Separable Return someone's telephone call Call in Separable Ask someone into an official place or office Call off Separable Cancel Call on Inseparable 1) Ask someone to do something 2) Visit Call up Separable Call someone on the telephone Catch up Inseparable To become equal or reach the same level Check in, check into Inseparable Register at a hotel or travel counter Check out Inseparable Leave a hotel Check out of Inseparable Leave a hotel Cheer up Separable Make someone happy Clean up Separable Tidy, make clean Come across Inseparable To find Cross out Separable Eliminate Cut out Separable Remove something or stop doing something annoying Do over Separable Repeat Drop by Inseparable Visit unexpectedly Drop in Inseparable Visit unexpectedly Drop off Separable Leave something somewhere Drop out Inseparable Stop attending a class Figure out Separable Understand Fill out Separable Complete a form Fill in Separable Complete spaces on a form Get along with Inseparable Have a good relationship with Get back from 1) Inseparable 2) Separable 1) Return from somewhere 2) Receive something originally lent to another person Get in Inseparable Enter Get off Inseparable Leave a bus, train, airplane Get on Inseparable Enter a bus, train, airplane Get out of Inseparable Leave a car Get over Inseparable Recover Get through Inseparable Survive Get up Inseparable Stand up Give back Separable Return Give up Separable Stop trying Go over Inseparable Review Grow up Inseparable Become an adult Hand in Separable Give an assignment or project to a teacher Hang up Separable Replace the telephone in the receiver Have on Separable Wear Keep out Separable Not enter Keep up with Inseparable Stay at the same level Kick out Separable Ask to leave Look after Inseparable Take care of Look into Inseparable Investigate Look out for Inseparable Watch for Look over Separable Review Look up Separable Try to find information Make up Separable Invent Pass away Inseparable Die Pass out 1) Inseparable 2) Separable 1) Faint 2) Distribute Pick up Separable Lift Pick out Separable Choose Point out Separable Identify Put away Separable Put in the proper place Put back Separable Return Put off Separable Delay Put on Separable Get dressed or dress someone Put out Separable Extinguish Put up with Inseparable Tolerate Run into Inseparable Find or meet Run across Inseparable Find or meet Run out of Inseparable Come to the end of something Show up Inseparable Appear Show off Separable Demonstrate something of envy Shut off Separable Stop something from running Take after Inseparable Be like someone Take off Separable Remove Take out Separable 1) Remove 2) Go on a date with someone Take over Separable Take control Take up Inseparable Begin Tear down Separable Demolish or destroy Tear up Separable Rip into pieces Think over Separable Consider, ponder Throw away Separable Discard Throw out Separable Discard Throw up Inseparable Vomit Try on Separable Test Turn down Separable Reduce Turn in Separable Go to bed Turn off Separable Stop a machine Turn on Separable Start a machine Turn out Separable Put out a light Turn up Separable Increase