Rules of splitting phrasal verbs:

We saw that if we use a pronoun, e phrasal verb has to be split – it cannot stay together.

Another rule could be the transitivity. I’ll make it simple.

The phrasal verb “come along” can stay by itself with a subject, thus:

They came along.

This is a complete and stand-alone statement. I can add words to it but they are not necessary to complete the sentence grammatically.

On the other hand, a phrasal verb like “add up” cannot stay on its own. It is a transitive phrasal verb.

So, if I say,

Please add up.

You can ask, “Add up what”?

So, I need to add something to it to complete the statement grammatically. So, maybe I can say,

Please add up the figures.

Gotcha!

But, here I can also say,

Please add the figures up.

10 sample separable phrasal verbs

How to know if you can split a phrasal verb?

Let’s continue with the phrasal verb add up.

I can SPLIT it because of the following two reasons:

Reason 1

“Up” is not a preposition – it’s a particle that looks like a preposition. So, the noun “figures” can come before it.

Reason 2

“Add up” is a transitive phrasal verb. So, it needs an object to complete it. Therefore it can be split.

10 sample non-separable phrasal verbs

The tricky reason

This reason is kind of tricky. So, read it again to know the full meaning. This is a practical way to know if a phrasal verb cab be split. But, this is, by no means, the final proof!

I’ll explain it with two examples: “walk up” and “add up”.

When I say,

Walk up the stairs

I am talking of the direction of walking – UP. Therefore, you cannot split it.

In fact, I’d go one step forward and say, “walk up” isn’t a phrasal verb at all. But the English language “experts” need to agree on this! I don’t know if I qualify as one!

But, on the other hand, “add up” doesn’t mean adding upwards. So, up isn’t a preposition – it doesn’t show the direction. It’s just another way to say “add”. Just as they say,

• • • • Cut up the onions.
      • Loosen up the shirt a little.
      • Walk up to the door and ring the bell.
      • Clear up the table.
      • Don’t mess up with me.

These are the phrasal verbs. We can just as easily say them without the particle up.

• • • • Cut the onions.
      • Loosen the shirt a little.
      • Walk to the door and ring the bell.
      • Clear the table.
      • Don’t mess with me.

These are not phrasal verbs – because they don’t have “up”. Weird but true!

And this is the way the “native speakers” of English speak. Why, O why! That’s the English idiosyncrasy. Let’s keep it that way.

Solution to the problem

How do we learn the phrasal verbs? I’ll suggest a few methods:

1. Remember a phrasal verb has a straightforward verb, like stand, sit, walk, talk, etc. It is also followed by a preposition, like up, down, in, out, etc. It may also have a third preposition. For example:

• • • • Come is a verb – straight and simple.
      • Come up ­– is a phrasal verb.
      • Come up with – is also a phrasal verb.

Remember this rule and you can identify the phrasal verbs when you see one.

1. Follow the rules about splitting them as mentioned above. They work in around 80-90% of cases.

• The best way, by far, is to “draw the picture and describe it”. In other words, get the picture of the phrasal verb. This will give you the “feel” of it. And for this, you need to read a lot.

1. Learn phrasal verbs topic-wise. So, you could have phrasal verbs on household chores, or maybe office work, or romance. You name it. Your teacher should know!

10 sample Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

A parting word

Nobody can teach you any language over a few days or even months. You need to make a language your own to be able to use it at will. And for this you need to read a lot. And, by a lot I mean “a huge whopping walloping lot”. This could be books, magazines, papers, anything.

The same applies to learning phrasal verbs, obviously!

When you read:

• • • • look out for phrasal verbs
      • note them down
      • see how they are used
      • use them in your own situations as a practice
      • then keep using them as often as possible
      • keep a handbook on all phrasal verbs you come across.

I know this is a tough job, but nothing good ever came easily.

A word of caution – read books on only those topics you have an interest in. Don’t read for the sake of reading. You will lose your interest in a super snappy screaming moment! Lickety split! Just like that!

An English teacher can put you in the direction of phrasal verbs, give you the rules (I’ve just mentioned all of them above), and make you practise a few of them. This will extend your familiarity over phrasal verbs.

The rest of the backbreaking donkey work is going to have to be yours and yours alone!

All the best!

Click here to read Part 1.