Inseparable Phrasal verbs

Inseparable Phrasal verbs

Here are some common non-separable phrasal verbs:

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

  (come across = to find something by chance)

• The caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly.

  (turn into = become)

Non-separable

Some phrasal verbs cannot be separated. 

Who looks after the baby when you're at work?

Even when there is a pronoun, the verb and particle remain together.

Who looks after her when you're at work?

Here are some common separable phrasal verbs:

• I didn't want to bring the situation up at the meeting.

  (bring up = start talking about a particular subject)

• Please can you fill this form in?

  (fill in = write information in a form or document)

Separable

With separable phrasal verbs, the verb and particle can be apart or together.

They've called the meeting off.

OR

They've called off the meeting.

However, separable phrasal verbs must be separated when you use a pronoun. 

The meeting? They've called it off.

Grammar explanation

Phrasal verbs are very common in English, especially in more informal contexts. They are made up of a verb and a particle or, sometimes, two particles. The particle often changes the meaning of the verb.

I called Jen to see how she was. (call = to telephone)

They've called off the meeting. (call off = to cancel)

In terms of word order, there are two main types of phrasal verb: separable and inseparable. 

Multiple Choice

We were late because the subway train broke...

• up

• down

Multiple Choice

My friend Paolo talks a lot. He could go ... for hours!

• on

• in

Multiple Choice

To be discovered to be

• Turn out

• Tire of

• Take after

• Show up

Multiple Choice

To become bored with something/somebody

• Take after

• Call for

• Tire of

• Look into

Multiple Choice

This picture can represent the Phrasal Verbinto

• Look into

• Show up

• Call for

• Take after

Multiple Choice

To collect somebody in order to go somewhere

• Come from

• Call for

• Get up

• Tire of

Multiple Choice

To become visible is

• Turn out

• Come from

• Take after

• Show up

Multiple Choice

"To be the result of something" this definition comes from the option

• Come from

• Tire of

• Get up

• Take after