What is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (a preposition or adverb) that together create a new meaning. Some phrasal verbs are separable and some are non-separable.
Separable Phrasal Verbs
With separable phrasal verbs, you can put a noun between the verb and the particle. Both positions are correct.
I looked up "body language" online. ✓
I looked "body language" up online. ✓
However, when the object is a pronoun (it, them, her, him, us), you must always put it between the verb and the particle.
I looked it up online. ✓ (pronoun must go in the middle)
I looked up it online. ✗
She was making it up. ✓
I told him you would call him back. ✓
Separable examples: look up, make up, call back, take up, turn off, put on, pick up, write down
Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
With non-separable phrasal verbs, you cannot put anything between the verb and the particle. The object always comes after the full phrasal verb.
You can rely on Ruby to give a good talk. ✓
You can rely Ruby on to give a good talk. ✗
I ran into Alice outside class. ✓
I ran Alice into outside class. ✗
Non-separable examples: rely on, run into, look after, come up with, get on with, deal with
Three-Part Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs with a particle plus a preposition (e.g. come up with, get on with) are always non-separable. The object always follows the full verb phrase.
She came up with a great idea. ✓
She came up a great idea with. ✗
⚠ Key rules to remember:
✓ Separable: noun can go before or after the particle → turn off the light / turn the light off
✓ Separable: pronoun must go between verb and particle → turn it off (never turn off it)
✓ Non-separable: object always follows the full phrasal verb → rely on her (never rely her on)
✓ Three-part phrasal verbs: always non-separable → come up with an idea