The Grammar of Phrasal Verbs

There are four different types of phrasal verbs.

TYPE 1: intransitive

These verbs do not have a direct object.

take off (= leave the ground)

·     The plane took off.

break down (= stop working)

·     My car broke down.

get up (= get out of bed)

·     I got up very early yesterday.

TYPE 2: transitive and separable

These verbs need a direct object, and the preposition can be separated from the main verb. If the object is a noun it can go before or after the preposition. BUT if the object is a pronoun, it must go before the preposition.

pick up (= get someone from a place)

·     I picked my sister up.

·     I picked up my sister.

·     I picked her up.

·     NOT: I picked up her.

clean up (= clean completely)

·     I cleaned the kitchen up.

·     I cleaned up the kitchen.

·     I cleaned it up.

·     NOT: I cleaned up it.

TYPE 3: transitive and inseparable

The phrasal verb again needs a direct object, but this time the preposition cannot be separated from the main verb. The object goes after the preposition always.

look after (= take care of a child)

·     I looked after my nephew.

·     I looked after him.

·     NOT: I looked my nephew after.

·     NOT: I looked him after.

come across (= find by chance)

·     I came across your glasses.

·     I came across them.

·     NOT: I came them across.

TYPE 4: verbs with two prepositions

These are easy because they are always transitive and inseparable. The object goes at the end.

run out of (= finish our supply of)

·     We have run out of milk.

·     We have run out of it.

·     NOT: we have run out it of.

look forward to (= wait for with excitement)

·     I’m looking forward to the party.

·     I’m looking forward to it.

·     NOT: I’m looking forward it to.