Learn A2 level phrasal verbs with clear examples. Understand transitive, intransitive, separable and inseparable forms with easy explanations and practice.
Phrasal Verbs: Transitive and Intransitive – Exercises
Phrasal verbs are verbs that are put together with small words like up, on, off, or in. In combination, they give a new meaning. For instance, “turn on” means to start something, and “look after” means to take care of someone.
Examples:
- look at
- turn on
- get up
- give up
These little words change the verb’s meaning a lot!
Two Large Groups
1. Phrasal Verbs That Are Transitive and Intransitive
- Transitive = needs an object (a noun or pronoun after the verb)
Example:
I turned on the light. (light = object)
Incorrect: I turned on. (wrong – no object) - Intransitive = does NOT need an object
Example:
I wake up at 7 o’clock.
Incorrect: I wake up. (correct – no object needed)
Easy trick:
If you can say “What?” or “Who?” after the verb, it’s transitive.
2. Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
(Only transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable)
- Separable = you can put the object between the verb and the particle
Example: turn on
I turned the TV on.
I turned on the TV.
Both are correct! With a pronoun (it, them, him, her…), you MUST separate:
✓ I turned it on.
✗ I turned on it. - Inseparable = the verb and particle must stay together
Example: look after (take care of)
She looks after her baby sister.
✓ She looks after her.
✗ She looks her after. (wrong)
Very Common Examples
You can separate them:
- turn on / turn off
- pick up
- put on (clothes)
- take off (clothes)
- write down
- throw away
Inseparable (keep them together):
- look after
- run into (meet by chance)
- get on (bus, train)
- look for (search)
- care about
Intransitive (no object):
- get up
- sit down
- stand up
- go out
- wake up
- grow up
