Separable Transitive Phrasal Verb

In a separable phrasal verb, the phrasal verb is transitive ; that is, it takes an object, which can be a noun or pronoun, with the object coming between the verb and the particle.

Examples:

  • The wind blew the papers off the table.

    (The noun object papers comes between the verb blew and the particle off of the phrasal verb. Blow off = cause to move away by the wind)

  • You can drop me off at the railway station.

    (The pronoun object me is placed between the verb drop and the particle off . Drop off = take or leave someone at a particular place)

  • He deserved praise for managing to bring that off .

    ( Bring off = succeed in doing something difficult)

  • We must give this wallet back to its rightful owner.

    ( Give back : return something to someone)

  • She handed the leaflets out to whoever would accept them.

    ( Hand out = give something to one person or many people)

  • His part-time office job is to put the files away .

    ( Put away = return something to the place where it is usually stored)

  • I picked the boys up at the library.

    ( Pick up = get or bring back someone from some place)

  • We have been putting some money aside every month for a new car.

    ( Put aside = save [money] or keep [something] for the future)

  • He took days to throw those rotten apples away .

    ( Throw away = get rid of something that is not wanted)

  • She wrote my phone number down on a piece of paper.

    ( Write down = jot a quick short note of something)