Phrasal Verbs

They are a verb and a particle, or more, (adverbs or prepositions) that

together act as a completely new word, that create a meaning separate
from the original ones.

For example, pick up means to “grab”, but pick means “choose” and up is a
preposition.

Phrasal Verbs often have more than one meaning. For example, take off
means “leave the ground” as well as “become successful.” But some even
have more meanings, like “Go on” which has eight meanings in the Oxford
Learner's Dictionary.

They are very common in informal English.

Phrasal Verbs

Transitive Intransitive

Separable Must be Separated

Inseparable

Three-word
Verb

Transitive Verbs
- They have objects.
- It affects a person or an object.
- It indicates that something or someone is different, the subject has
been affected by the verb.
- They need the object to be clear and complete the sentence.

Subject + transitive verb + complement Ex. Nancy drives the car

Separable
They are the phrasal verbs where the verb and the particle can be apart or
together.

Ex. They've called the meeting off. OR They've called off the meeting.

When to separate?

You CAN if the object is a noun. (So, you put the noun after the particle)

Ex. Jimmy put on his coat.

You MUST if the object is a pronoun. (So, you put the pronoun between the verb
and the particle)

Ex. Jimmy put his coat on.

You MUST when the object consists of four words or less.

Ex. Mr. Wilson called his appointment off.

(If it has more than four words, it would remain together.)

Ex. Mr. Wilson called off his 3:30pm appointment with Dr. Smith.

Inseparable
Some phrasal verbs cannot be separated. Even when there is a pronoun,
the verb and particle remain together.

Ex. Yesterday I ran into Alan.

Phrasal verbs made with prepositions (along, at, before, by, near, of, etc…) are
usually inseparable.

Ex. I came across your email when I was clearing my inbox.

Ex. The caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly.

Some are inseparable simply because they don't take an object.

Ex. I get up at 7 a.m.

Three-word Verbs
Some verbs can be used with both an adverb and a preposition, which
makes most of them inseparable.

Ex. Who came up with that idea?

Ex. Let's get rid of these old magazines to make more space.
Ex. The concert's on Friday. I'm really looking forward to it.

MUST be separated
There aren’t many of these phrasal verbs. The object goes between the
verb and the particle.

Ex. Tina kept her jacket on.

Intransitive Verbs
- They do not have an object, and they indicate an action.
- It doesn’t affect a person or an object.
- It can be followed by an adverb or an adjective, but those elements
are not considered objects.
Ex. Tony’s car broke down.
Ex. Jane grew up in a small town.