Word order in phrasal verbs: Rules with examples

Do you know how to place words correctly when using phrasal verbs? Enhance your knowledge with the lesson given below and the grammar explanation to guide you better.

Look at these examples to see how we order words with phrasal verbs:

• I always jot down important notes during the lecture.

• He caught a cold but has recovered from it now.

• They raised several concerns during the discussion.

Grammar explanation - Word order in phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb plus one or two particles.

• The dog wakes me up at 6 a.m. every day.

• The noise is unbearable. I can't deal with it anymore.

The particles modify the meaning of the verb. Sometimes the change is subtle (e.g., wake up is similar to wake), while other times, the meaning changes significantly.

• I dropped off my keys. (drop = let something fall)

• I dropped off to sleep. (drop off = fall asleep)

• I can't figure this out. (figure = understand something)

• I can't figure out this problem. (figure out = solve or understand a problem)

There are two types of phrasal verbs in terms of word order: separable and inseparable.

1. Separable phrasal verbs

Separable phrasal verbs are transitive, meaning they take a direct object. You can either separate the verb and particle by placing the object in between:

• She handed the documents out.

Or keep the verb and particle together with the object after the particle:

• She handed out the documents.

Both structures mean the same thing, but when using a pronoun (e.g., me, you, it), the separated form is required, placing the pronoun between the verb and particle.

• She handed them out.

• She handed out them. (Incorrect)

Though both separated and unseparated forms are grammatically correct (except when using pronouns), in some contexts, one form is preferred over the other.

Separation is more common in spoken English when the speaker emphasizes the particle.

• Turn the music OFF! (Turn OFF the music is also possible but less preferred.)

On the other hand, when the object is long or complex, keeping the verb and particle together is often preferred.

He helped set up the new training program for all employees in the company. (He helped set the new training program for all employees in the company up is also possible but less preferred.)

2. Non-separable phrasal verbs

Some phrasal verbs cannot be separated. This is either because they are intransitive (they do not take a direct object):

• The class went on for hours.

• I grew up in a small town.

Other non-separable phrasal verbs take an object but have a preposition as their particle, which makes them inseparable because the object must follow the preposition.

• I ran into an old friend yesterday.

• I ran an old friend into yesterday. (Incorrect)

This rule applies even when using a pronoun.

• I came up with it during the meeting.

• I came up it with during the meeting. (Incorrect)

In some cases, the direct object can appear earlier in the sentence.

• Let me show you the idea I’ve been working on.

• She’s someone you can always count on for help.

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