Phrasal Verbs: Separable, Inseparable, and Common Examples

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that create a new meaning. For example, give up means quit, not "give" + "up." Phrasal verbs are extremely common in English, especially in spoken and informal contexts.

Understanding Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb consists of a main verb and one or two particles. The particle changes the meaning of the verb, often in non-literal ways. For example, look means to direct your eyes, but look after means to take care of, look up means to search for, look into means to investigate, and look forward to means to anticipate eagerly.

Phrasal verbs can be transitive (taking an object) or intransitive (no object). Transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

With separable phrasal verbs, the object can go between the verb and particle or after the particle. If the object is a noun, both positions are acceptable. If the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and particle.

Turn off the light. = Turn the light off.

Turn it off. (not turn off it)

Common separable phrasal verbs: turn on/off, pick up, put down, take off, put on, throw away, give back, call back, wake up, clean up, fill out, figure out, cut off, drop off, hand in, leave out, point out, put away, set up, shut off.

Please pick up the book. / Please pick the book up. / Please pick it up.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

With inseparable phrasal verbs, the object always comes after the particle. The verb and particle cannot be separated.

Look after the children. (not look the children after)

Look after them. (not look them after)

Common inseparable phrasal verbs: look after, run into, come across, get over, go through, count on, depend on, call on, care for, deal with, hear about, laugh at, listen to, talk about, wait for, ask for.

I ran into an old friend. I ran into him at the store.

Three-Word Phrasal Verbs

Some phrasal verbs have two particles and are always inseparable. The object always comes after both particles.

Put up with = tolerate: I can't put up with the noise.

Look forward to = anticipate: I look forward to meeting you.

Come up with = create/think of: She came up with a great idea.

Get along with = have a good relationship: Do you get along with your coworkers?

Cut down on = reduce: I need to cut down on sugar.

Run out of = exhaust supply: We ran out of milk.

Check up on = monitor: She checked up on her mother.

Common Phrasal Verbs by Topic

Daily routines: wake up, get up, get dressed, go out, get back, sit down, lie down, log on/off, fill out, clean up, pick out.

Work and study: carry out, find out, point out, figure out, look into, go over, hand in, set up, take over, follow up, catch up.

Travel: check in/out, take off, get in/on/off, set off, drop off, pick up, see off, stop over.

Communication: call back, speak up, talk over, hang up, get through, reach out, bring up, cut off.

Relationships: get along, fall out, make up, break up, grow apart, settle down, open up, stand by.

Phrasal Verbs vs Single Verbs

In formal writing, single verbs are often preferred over phrasal verbs. However, phrasal verbs are essential for natural-sounding spoken English and informal writing.

give up = quit. carry out = execute. put off = postpone. bring up = raise (a topic). cut out = eliminate. turn down = refuse/reject. look into = investigate. come across = encounter.

In academic or business writing, the single verb form is usually more appropriate. In conversation, emails, and blog posts, phrasal verbs feel more natural.

Tips for Learning Phrasal Verbs

Instead of memorizing lists, learn phrasal verbs in context. Group them by particle: up often indicates completion (clean up, finish up, give up), out often indicates removal or discovery (find out, figure out, cut out), off often indicates separation or departure (take off, set off, call off). Learn phrasal verbs as you encounter them in reading and conversations, and create example sentences that are relevant to your own life.

Practice Phrasal Verbs

The best way to master phrasal verbs is through regular practice. Use our free word counter to track your vocabulary and identify which phrasal verbs you use most frequently in your writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a phrasal verb?

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (preposition or adverb) that creates a new meaning. Example: "give up" means quit, not give + up.

What is the difference between separable and inseparable phrasal verbs?

With separable phrasal verbs, the object can go between the verb and particle (turn the light off). With inseparable ones, the object must stay after the particle (look after the children).

Where do pronouns go with separable phrasal verbs?

Pronouns must go between the verb and particle: "pick it up," not "pick up it."

Are phrasal verbs used in formal writing?

Phrasal verbs are more common in informal contexts. In formal writing, prefer single-verb alternatives like postpone (not put off), investigate (not look into), or encounter (not come across).

How many phrasal verbs are there in English?

English has thousands of phrasal verbs. However, the most common 100-200 phrasal verbs cover the vast majority of everyday usage.