Study vocabulary from this article
Use flashcards with SRS system for long-term retention
In my first year teaching English, I noticed my students always made the same mistake with phrasal verbs. They’d say things like “I brought my homework up” instead of “I brought up my homework,” and then look confused when native speakers didn’t understand. The difference is separability — a rule that’s surprisingly simple once you see it, but costs a lot of learners points on exams. For more, see our Learn more. For more, see our business meeting vocabulary.
Separable phrasal verbs are transitive verbs that take an object, and here’s the key rule: you can put the object either between the verb and particle or after the particle — but the meaning stays the same. You’ll explore 20+ of the most common separable phrasal verbs, with examples that show both positions, plus a breakdown of which ones are most important for everyday English and academic writing.
Key Takeaways
- Separable phrasal verbs are transitive — they take a direct object, and you can insert the object between the verb and particle or place it after.
- Both word orders are correct: “Pick me up” = “Pick up me” (though the first is more natural in most contexts).
- With pronouns, separation is REQUIRED: “Call her up” not “Call up her”; “Help me out” not “Help out me”.
- The 20+ verbs in this guide include bring up, call up, clean up, drop off, fill up, give up, look up, pick up, turn down, and more.
- Common use in everyday speech and formal writing — these verbs appear in job interviews, emails, conversations, and exam essays.
What Is a Separable Phrasal Verb?
A separable phrasal verb is a phrasal verb whose particle can be separated from the main verb by a direct object. Phrasal verbs are made up of a main verb plus an adverb or preposition (or both), and their meaning is usually not obvious from the individual words.
For example:
- bring up = raise/rear (children) — not related to “bring” + “up” literally
- pick up = collect/retrieve — again, not a literal “pick” + “up”
The separable ones are transitive, meaning they require a direct object (something or someone that receives the action). That object is where the magic happens — you can move it around.
The Two Word Orders
With separable phrasal verbs, you have two grammatical choices:
| Pattern | Example (Verb + Particle + Object) | Example (Verb + Object + Particle) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard word order | Pick up the book. | Pick the book up. |
| With a pronoun | ✓ Pick it up. | ✗ Pick up it. (WRONG) |
| Spoken preference | More common in speech | Also common, especially with nouns |
CRITICAL RULE: When the object is a pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us, them), you MUST separate the verb and particle. “Pick it up” is correct; “Pick up it” is ungrammatical in English.
20+ Common Separable Phrasal Verbs
Bring Up
To raise, rear, or educate a child; to introduce a topic in conversation.
Example 1: My grandmother brought me up after my parents divorced.
Example 2: He brought the issue up at the board meeting.
Separability note: Both “bring the child up” and “bring up the child” are acceptable, but with pronouns: “brought her up” (not “brought up her”).
Call Up
To telephone someone; to summon or draft (as in military service).
Example 1: She called me up to congratulate me on my promotion.
Example 2: He was called up for the reserves.
Calm Down
To help someone relax or become less upset.
Example 1: We tried to calm the frightened child down.
Example 2: The teacher told the students to calm down.
Note: “Calm down” can be used without an object (intransitive use) but is separable when it has one.
Clean Up
To make something tidy or neat; to remove dirt or mess.
Example 1: It took us two hours to clean the house up after the party.
Example 2: Can you clean it up, please?
Drop Off
To leave someone or something at a location; to deliver.
Example 1: I’ll drop you off at the station on my way to work.
Example 2: He dropped the package off at the post office.
Fill Up
To make something completely full; to fill the tank of a vehicle with fuel.
Example 1: Can you fill the glass up with water?
Example 2: I need to fill up my car at the petrol station.
Get Back
To retrieve something; to recover something that was lost or taken.
Example 1: Did you ever get your book back from him?
Example 2: I hope to get my deposit back next month.
Give Up
To stop doing something; to surrender or abandon; to quit.
Example 1: He gave his singing career up to become a lawyer.
Example 2: Don’t give it up — you’re getting better at it.
Help Out
To assist someone because they are busy or in need; to offer support.
Example 1: I helped my friend out when her car broke down.
Example 2: Can you help me out with this heavy box?
Look Up
To search for information in a book, dictionary, or online; to improve or brighten.
Example 1: Look the word up in your dictionary if you don’t know what it means.
Example 2: Things are looking up for the team this season.
Make Up
To invent or fabricate (a story or excuse); to resolve a conflict and become friends again.
Example 1: Don’t make that excuse up — just tell me the truth.
Example 2: After the argument, they made it up over coffee.
Pick Up
To lift or retrieve something from the ground; to collect someone; to learn informally.
Example 1: Can you pick the children up from school today?
Example 2: I picked up Spanish while traveling in Mexico.
Cheer Up
To make someone feel happier; to brighten someone’s mood.
Example 1: A funny movie will cheer him up.
Example 2: Cheer up! Things will get better.
Do Over
To repeat or redo something, often because it was done incorrectly the first time.
Example 1: If your spelling is poor, you’ll have to do the essay over.
Example 2: They decided to do the entire kitchen over.
Figure Out
To find a solution to a problem; to understand something.
Example 1: I finally figured out why the car won’t start.
Example 2: Can you help me figure this out?
Give Out
To distribute something to each person in a group; to stop functioning.
Example 1: The teacher gave the test papers out to the class.
Example 2: My computer gave up after five years of use.
Let Down
To disappoint someone by not meeting their expectations; to make something longer by releasing a seam.
Example 1: I don’t want to let my team down in tomorrow’s match.
Example 2: My mother let down the hem of my trousers.
Put Away
To place something in its usual storage location; to tidy up.
Example 1: He put his toys away before bedtime every night.
Example 2: Put the dishes away when you’ve dried them.
Throw Away
To discard or dispose of something; to get rid of something unwanted.
Example 1: Don’t throw those bottles away — we can recycle them.
Example 2: I threw the old magazines away.
Turn Down
To reject or refuse an offer; to reduce the volume or temperature of something.
Example 1: She turned the job offer down because the salary was too low.
Example 2: Can you turn the music down? It’s too loud.
Write Down
To record something on paper; to document information.
Example 1: Write the address down so you don’t forget it.
Example 2: The doctor asked me to write down my symptoms.
Separable vs. Inseparable: How to Tell the Difference
Not all phrasal verbs are separable. Some are inseparable , meaning you cannot place the object between the verb and the particle. For example:
- Inseparable: “Look after someone” (not “Look someone after”)
- Inseparable: “Get along with someone” (not “Get someone along with”)
- Inseparable: “Run into someone” (not “Run someone into”)
The best way to learn which verbs are separable is through exposure and practice. However, a useful pattern: if the verb makes sense when separated (e.g., “pick it up” = “pick + it + up”), it’s likely separable. If separating it creates nonsense, it’s inseparable.
Common Mistakes with Separable Phrasal Verbs
✗ Incorrect: Call up him at 7 pm.
✓ Correct: Call him up at 7 pm.
Why: With pronouns, the object must come between the verb and particle.
✗ Incorrect: Pick up the children.
✓ Correct: Pick the children up. OR Pick up the children.
Why: Both are grammatically correct, but learners often feel the first is mandatory — it’s not.
✗ Incorrect: I gave my career away.
✓ Correct: I gave away my career. OR I gave my career away.
Why: Both orders are acceptable with nouns; choose based on emphasis and flow.
✗ Incorrect: Turn down the heat down.
✓ Correct: Turn the heat down. OR Turn down the heat.
Why: Do not use both the separated and unseparated form together — it’s redundant.
At an English Language Centre
Teacher: Class, what’s the difference between “Pick up the book” and “Pick the book up”?
Maria: Aren’t they the same thing?
Teacher: Good question. In meaning, yes — identical. But notice I say “Pick it up” not “Pick up it.” With pronouns, the order changes.
Leo: Oh! So “Pick up it” is wrong?
Teacher: Exactly. That’s the key rule to remember.
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the separable phrasal verb:
- My mother ________ me ________ when I was young. (bring/up)
- Please ________ the dishes ________ after dinner. (put/away)
- Can you ________ me ________ at the train station? (pick/up)
- She ________ the job offer ________ because it wasn’t the right fit. (turn/down)
- Don’t ________ hope ________ — you can do this! (give/up)
Answers: 1. brought / up · 2. put / away · 3. pick / up · 4. turned / down · 5. give / up
Register and Context: When to Use Separable Phrasal Verbs
Separable phrasal verbs are very common in spoken English and informal writing. They appear regularly in:
- Conversation: “Pick me up at 5?” “I’ll pick you up.”
- Casual emails: “I’ll clean the house up before you arrive.”
- Formal writing: Less common, but acceptable in professional contexts when naturally used.
- Exams: TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge exams frequently test separability rules.
One note for formal academic writing: some separable phrasal verbs have one-word synonyms (e.g., “educate” for “bring up,” “discontinue” for “give up”) that sound more formal. In essays, you can use either, but the single-word verb may feel more academic.
Related Articles
- ↑ Master Pillar: English Grammar
- Inseparable Phrasal Verbs in English
- ↑ Back to pillar: English Phrasal Verbs (Pillar)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both word orders with separable phrasal verbs?
Yes, mostly — but with an important exception. With pronouns, the object must come between the verb and particle: “Pick it up” (correct) vs. “Pick up it” (incorrect). With nouns, both orders are grammatically acceptable: “Pick up the book” and “Pick the book up” are both fine.
How do I know if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable?
The best way is through exposure and practice. However, a helpful rule of thumb: separable verbs usually make semantic sense when separated. For example, “pick it up” clearly means “pick + it + up,” while “run into him” doesn’t literally mean “run + him + into,” so it’s inseparable.
What is the difference between “Give up” and “Give away”?
“Give up” means to stop or quit something (especially an activity or hope): “Give up smoking.” “Give away” means to donate or distribute something: “Give away old clothes.” Both are separable.
Are separable phrasal verbs considered formal or informal?
They are generally informal and very common in spoken English. However, they appear in formal writing and professional emails when used naturally. For very formal academic writing, single-word synonyms (e.g., “abandon” instead of “give up”) are sometimes preferred, but phrasal verbs are not wrong.
Can inseparable phrasal verbs ever be separated?
No. Inseparable phrasal verbs must keep the object after both the verb and particle. For example, “Look after” is always “look after someone” — never “look someone after.”
What register do separable phrasal verbs belong to?
Mostly informal and colloquial. They are the natural choice in everyday English, casual emails, and spoken communication. They are less common in formal academic or legal writing, where single-word verbs are often preferred for style reasons, but they are not grammatically incorrect in formal contexts.
Quick Test: Check Your Understanding
5 questions to test what you've learned. No sign-up required.
Comments are closed.