Everybody's doing it!

 Separable and inseparable two-word verbs 

There are two types of phrasal verbs. Separable phrasal verbs can be broken up by other words, while inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be separated by other words.

• The first important thing to remember is that some phrasal verbs are separable (the verb and the preposition can be separated, putting the object in the middle), while others are inseparable (the object must come at the end because the verb and the preposition must stay together).

Separable phrasal verbs

Some phrasal verbs can be separated when we used them with objects. This means that we have a choice. We can put the object between the verb and the preposition, or we can put the object at the end, just like we do for inseparable phrasal verbs.

• "Run into" is an example for an inseparable verb.
  
  "Run into" means to meet someone by chance when you were not expecting to.
  
  Correct: I always run into Molly at the mall.
  
  Incorrect: I always run Molly into at the mall.
  
  Incorrect: I always run Molly at the mall into.

Inseparable phrasal verbs

• Some phrasal verbs cannot be separated. This means that when we want to use an object, it must always come after the complete phrasal verb.
  
  This is true when we use a noun (Ellen, the car, our friends, Germany) or a pronoun (him, them, us.) The object must always come after the complete phrasal verb.

Get on/off

The phrasal verbs get on/off talk about entering or exiting a mode of transportation. These phrasal verbs work for boats, airplanes, trains, bicycles, and motorcycles. (If we are talking about a car, we use get in/out.)

Examples:

• Everyone must get on the plane and fasten their seatbelts before we can take off.
  
  
• Get off that motorcycle if you don't have a helmet! It's dangerous to ride without one.
  
  
• I had to run to get on the train, but I made it!
  
  
• It was hard for him to get off the boat, because he was feeling a little sick when they reached the dock!