Explanation
Exercises

Phrasal Verbs: Transitive/Intransitive · Separable/Inseparable

A phrasal verb = verb + particle (adverb or preposition). The particle changes the base verb’s meaning: wake up, throw away, take off, look for. Some use two particles: look forward to, get on with.
Intransitive = no object Transitive = needs an object Separable vs Inseparable Pronoun position Two-particle verbs
Intransitiveno object → always inseparable
Form: verb + particle (nothing in between).
  • I like to get up late.
  • He’s gone out.
  • Prices have gone up.
More examples

come back, get along, go away, grow up, hurry up, stand up, walk away

Transitivetakes an object
Separable
verb + particle + object → Put on your jacket. verb + object + particle → Put your jacket on.
Pronoun rule
Put it on. Put on it.
Inseparable
I’m looking for my keys. I’m looking for them. I’m looking my keys for. I’m looking them for.
Examplesby type
Intransitive (inseparable)
  • COME BACK: Jim is coming back soon.
  • GET ALONG: We get along well.
  • GO AWAY: Please go away.
  • GROW UP: He needs to grow up.
  • HURRY UP: Hurry up!
Transitive — separable
  • FILL IN: We filled the forms/ them in.
  • LOOK UP: I looked the word/ it up.
  • PAY BACK: I paid the money/ it back.
  • THROW AWAY: She threw the bread/ it away.
  • CALL OFF: They called the concert off.
  • TRY ON: I tried the dress/ it on.
  • TURN UP/DOWN: Turn the music/ it up.
  • WRITE DOWN: I wrote his name/ it down.
Transitive — inseparable
  • GET ON WITH: I don’t get on with him.
  • LOOK AFTER: She looks after the kids/ them.
  • LOOK FOR: He is looking for his keys/ them.
  • SEARCH FOR: We searched for the ring/ it.
  • TAKE CARE OF: She takes care of the garden/ it.
Two-particle verbsalways inseparable
Form: verb + particle + particle + object
  • I’m looking forward to my holiday.
  • She gets on with her father.
Quick tipsword order
  • If there’s no object, keep verb + particle together.
  • With separable verbs, a pronoun object must go in the middle: take it off.
  • Two-particle verbs are not separable.
Test yourselfchoose the correct order
  • Please turn it off. (turn off is separable; pronoun in the middle)
  • We’re looking for a new flat. (look for is inseparable)
  • Can you pick me up at 7?

Recap: Decide first if the phrasal verb needs an object (transitive) or not (intransitive). Then check if it’s separable or inseparable. With separable verbs, put pronoun objects between the verb and the particle. Two-particle verbs never separate.

Exercises:
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Phrasal verbs: Transitive and intransitive, separable and inseparable

Choose the correct phrasal verb forms to complete the sentences below.
1
Could you , please?
2
We need to the kids while their parents are away.
3
The car on the way to work.
4
I can’t his rude comments anymore.
5
I’ll pick from the floor.
6
We ran milk, so I went to the shop.
7
When the alarm went , everyone left the building.
8
Can you a better title for the post?
9
They decided to the meeting until next week.
10
I forgot to my assignment yesterday.

Phrasal verbs: Transitive and intransitive, separable and inseparable

Choose the correct verb forms for the gaps below.
1
We need to ____ the lights before we leave.
A.
B.
C.
2
Could you ____ for a minute?
A.
B.
C.
3
She ____ her grandmother last weekend.
A.
B.
C.
4
The company ____ the job offer because of the salary.
A.
B.
C.
5
Did you ____ the form yet?
A.
B.
C.
6
I ____ my neighbor at the station yesterday.
A.
B.
C.
7
Please ____ your shoes at the door.
A.
B.
C.
8
He ____ last year.
A.
B.
C.
9
Could you ____ the application by Friday?
A.
B.
C.
10
The plane ____ on time despite the fog.
A.
B.
C.

Phrasal verbs: Transitive and intransitive, separable and inseparable

Fill in the gaps with the phrasal verb in brackets in the present or past simple. Use an OBJECT PRONOUN IF NECESSARY.
1
Before buying those shoes, you should really . (try on)
2
At the end of the show, the audience and clapped. (stand up)
3
I dropped the pencil on the floor, then I . (pick up)
4
Jean has a granddaughter. She every Saturday morning. (look after)
5
I hope to be much taller when I . (grow up)
6
I took my jeans out of the wardrobe, then I . (put on)
7
After losing my bag, I everywhere, but I couldn't find it. (look for)
8
If I forget milk out of the fridge for a few hours, I always . (throw away)
9
I walked over to the sofa, then I . (sit down)
10
The traffic is awful, but we every day. (put up with)