Phrasal Verbs Examples: Correct and Incorrect
Side-by-side examples of phrasal verbs done right and wrong.
Phrasal verbs shown in context
Phrasal verbs are clearest in example sentences. The tables below show correct and incorrect versions, with a note on the rule involved. Read the incorrect version to see the error, then the correct one to understand the fix.
These examples cover separable and inseparable verbs, pronoun placement, and the formality choice between phrasal verbs and single verbs.
Word order examples
| Incorrect | Correct | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Turn on it | Turn it on | pronoun goes between |
| Look the problem into | Look into the problem | inseparable, object after |
| Pick up the kids / Pick the kids up | both correct | separable, noun object flexible |
| Pick up them | Pick them up | pronoun goes between |
Formality and meaning examples
| Casual phrasal | Formal single verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| find out | discover | We discovered the cause |
| put off | postpone | We postponed the meeting |
| look into | investigate | We investigated the claim |
| bring up | raise | She raised the issue |
More example pairs
- Incorrect: I look forward to see you. Correct: I look forward to seeing you, because to here is a preposition.
- Incorrect: turn off it. Correct: turn it off, since pronouns go between the verb and particle.
- Incorrect: we will look the matter into. Correct: we will look into the matter, since look into is inseparable.
- Casual: she gave up. Formal: she surrendered or she abandoned the attempt.
A common trap: look forward to takes a gerund, because to is a preposition here, not part of an infinitive. So it is I look forward to hearing from you, not to hear from you.
Use examples to fix phrasal verbs
- 1Find a phrasal verb that seems off
Copy a sentence where the word order or form feels wrong.
- 2Match it to a model
Locate the closest pair in the tables above.
- 3Apply the same fix
Move the object or pronoun, or swap for a formal verb.
- 4Re-read for tone
Confirm the verb fits the formality of the context.
Examples build reliable usage
After working through examples, phrasal verb placement starts to feel natural. You develop an ear for where the object belongs and when a single verb sounds more appropriate. Keep a short list of corrected pairs for reference during edits.
To check a full document at once, paste it into the free Grammar Checker at AI Humanizer Lab. It flags phrasal verb errors across the whole text with no word limits, which is handy for longer drafts where these issues cluster.
Register as a deliberate choice
Phrasal verbs are not wrong; they are a register choice. In casual writing they add color and rhythm, and in formal writing they often sound out of place. The skill is recognizing the register of your context and swapping phrasal verbs for single verbs where the tone demands it.
Build the swap habit by keeping a short list of formal equivalents for the phrasal verbs you use most. Carry out becomes conduct, find out becomes determine, and look into becomes investigate. With a small set memorized, your formal prose tightens quickly and reads as more deliberate.
Jot down five phrasal verbs you overuse and their formal single-verb partners. Refer to the list when you edit formal work. Within a few drafts, the swaps become automatic and your register control improves noticeably.
Small, consistent habits matter more than memorizing every rule. Pick one pattern to check on your next draft, and your writing improves steadily with each pass.
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