A phrasal verb is a verb + a particle (preposition or adverb) that creates a new meaning.

1. Separable Phrasal Verbs

With separable phrasal verbs, the object can come:

• After the phrasal verb
• Between the verb and the particle

Examples

• Turn off = stop a machine/device

 Turn off the TV. – After the phrasal verb   Turn the TV off. –Between the verb and the particle

• Pick up = collect

Pick up the package. –After the phrasal verb 
Pick the package up. Between the verb and the particle

BUT

Important Rule

When the object is a pronoun (it, him, her, them), it must go in the middle.

Turn it off.
❌ Turn off it.

Pick them up.
❌ Pick up them.

Common Separable Phrasal Verbs

• Turn off
• Turn on
• Pick up
• Put on
• Take off
• Look up
• Give back
• Throw away

2. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

With inseparable phrasal verbs, the object must come after the entire phrasal verb.

Examples

• Look after = take care of

Look after the baby.
❌ Look the baby after.

• Run into = meet unexpectedly

I ran into my teacher.
❌ I ran my teacher into.

Common Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

• Look after
• Run into
• Get over
• Come across
• Deal with
• Look for
• Believe in
• Listen to

Quick Comparison

Easy Memory Tip

Separable = You can separate the verb and particle, but if the object is a pronoun (it, him, her, them, us, etc.), you must separate them.

• Turn off the TV.
• Turn the TV off.

But

Important Rule

When the object is a pronoun (it, him, her, them), it must go in the middle.

 Turn it off.
❌ Turn off it.

• Inseparable = You cannot separate them.
  Look after the baby. ✔️
  Look the baby after. ❌

How to Identify Inseparable Phrasal Verbs.

That’s a very common question. Unfortunately, there is no 100% reliable rule that lets you identify every inseparable phrasal verb just by looking at it. You usually learn them through exposure and practice. However, these tips can help:

Tip 1: Many phrasal verbs with a preposition are inseparable

Examples:

• look after (take care of)

• look for (search for)

• run into (meet unexpectedly)

• deal with (handle)

• believe in (have faith in)

Try separating them:

❌ Look the child after.

❌ Deal the problem with.

They sound wrong because they are inseparable.

Tip 2: Test with a pronoun

Replace the object with it, him, her, or them.

Turn off (separable)

• Turn it off. ✅

Look after (inseparable)

• Look after him. ✅

• Look him after. ❌

If the pronoun must stay after the particle, the phrasal verb is probably inseparable.

Tip 3: Memorize common inseparable phrasal verbs

Some of the most common ones for intermediate learners are:

• Look after

• Look for

• Run into

• Get over

• Come across

• Deal with

• Believe in

• Listen to

• Apply for

• Depend on

• Focus on

• Wait for

Quick Exam Trick

Ask yourself:

Can I move the object between the verb and the particle?

• Pick up the book. → Pick the book up. ✅ (Separable)

• Look after the child. → Look the child after. ❌ (Inseparable)

If moving the object sounds wrong, it is likely inseparable.

Easy Memory Rule

If the phrasal verb ends with a preposition such as “for,” “after,” “with,” “into,” “on,” or “to,” it is often inseparable.

Examples:

• look after

• deal with

• run into

• listen to

• depend on

This is not a perfect rule, but it works for many common phrasal verbs at the intermediate level.