When a phrasal verb has an object, the object can go after the small word or before it: put on your coat, or put your coat on. But it and them always go before it: put it on, never put on it.
A Two places for the object
Some phrasal verbs have an object: put on your coat, take off your shoes.
The object can go after on / off, or between the verb and on / off:
| put on your coat | put your coat on |
| take off your shoes | take your shoes off |
But it / them (pronouns) always go before on / off etc.: put it on (not put on it), take them off (not take off them).
- It was chilly, so I put on my jumper. (or I put my jumper on)
- Here's your jumper. Put it on.
- I'm going to take off my boots. (or take my boots off)
- Your boots are muddy. Take them off.
B turn on, switch off etc.
turn on / turn off (lights, machines, taps etc.). Also switch on / switch off (lights, machines etc.).
- It was getting dark, so I turned on the lamp. (or I turned the lamp on)
- I'm not watching this. You can turn it off.
- I switched on the kettle and switched off the radio.
C pick up, put down
pick up = lift from a surface. put down = place on a surface.
- Those are my gloves on the floor. Could you pick them up for me?
- I stopped writing and put my pen down. (or put down my pen)
D bring back, take back, give back, put back
back = returning something to where it came from.
- You can borrow my tent, but please bring it back.
- I took the jeans back to the shop. They were too long.
- I've still got Leo's charger. I must give it back to him.
- I read the card and then put it back in the envelope.
Exercises
115.1 Read each scene. What did the person do? Write a sentence.
A dark room. A man presses the switch by the door and the light comes on.
(He / the light)
He turned on the light.
He turned on the light.
A woman wearing a sun hat. Then the hat is in her hand.
(She / her hat)
She took off her hat.
A man carrying a heavy rucksack. Then the rucksack is on the floor beside him.
(He / his rucksack)
He put down his rucksack.
A magazine lying on a seat on the train. Then a woman is holding it and reading.
(She / the magazine)
She picked up the magazine.
A man in bright sunshine. Then he is wearing sunglasses.
(He / his sunglasses)
He put on his sunglasses.
A tap running in the sink. A woman reaches over and the water stops.
(She / the tap)
She turned off the tap.
115.2 Each sentence can be written in three ways: verb + on/off + object, verb + object + on/off, and verb + it/them + on/off. Write the form asked for in brackets.
I turned on the TV. (object in the middle)
I turned the TV on.
I turned the TV on.
I turned on the TV. (with it or them)
I turned it on.
I turned it on.
He put on his gloves. (object in the middle)
He put his gloves on.
He put on his gloves. (with it or them)
He put them on.
She took her coat off. (object at the end)
She took off her coat.
She took her coat off. (with it or them)
She took it off.
Put down your pencils. (object in the middle)
Put your pencils down.
Put down your pencils. (with it or them)
Put them down.
They gave back the keys. (object in the middle)
They gave the keys back.
They gave back the keys. (with it or them)
They gave them back.
I switched the heating off. (object at the end)
I switched off the heating.
I switched the heating off. (with it or them)
I switched it off.
115.3 Complete the sentences. Use one of these verbs + it or them + on, off, up or back: bring, pick, switch, take, turn.
I wanted to listen to the news, so I turned it on.
I wanted to listen to the news, so I turned it on.
I bought a kettle, but it doesn't work. I'm going to to the shop.
I bought a kettle, but it doesn't work. I'm going to take it back to the shop.
There were some toys on the stairs, so I and put them in the box.
There were some toys on the stairs, so I picked them up and put them in the box.
When I'd finished with the printer, I .
When I'd finished with the printer, I switched it off.
Thanks for lending me these DVDs. I'll remember to .
Thanks for lending me these DVDs. I'll remember to bring them back.
115.4 Complete the sentences. Choose an object (some trees, a vase, a pair of jeans, your phone, or me / it / them) and one of these: in, up, on, away, out, down, over, round.
They cut some trees down when they built the car park.
They cut some trees down when they built the car park.
That music is far too loud. Could you turn it down?
That music is far too loud. Could you turn it down?
I knocked and it smashed on the floor.
I knocked a vase over and it smashed on the floor.
I couldn't remember when the battle was, so I looked online.
I couldn't remember when the battle was, so I looked it up online.
I want to keep these old letters. Please don't throw .
I want to keep these old letters. Please don't throw them away.
The receptionist handed me a form and asked me to fill .
The receptionist handed me a form and asked me to fill it in.
I tried in the shop, but they didn't fit.
I tried a pair of jeans on in the shop, but they didn't fit.
I went to see the new office. The manager showed .
I went to see the new office. The manager showed me round.
"Do you still go to karate?" "No, I did it for a year, but then I gave ."
"Do you still go to karate?" "No, I did it for a year, but then I gave it up."
Phones aren't allowed in the exam room. Please put .
Phones aren't allowed in the exam room. Please put your phone away.