3.106 object after first word

With a small number of phrasal verbs, the object is always placed between the first and the second words of the verb. For example, you can say 'I can't tell your brothers apart' but not 'I can't tell apart your brothers'.

Note that most of these verbs take a human object.

Here is a list of phrasal verbs which always belong in this group when they are used transitively:

Some phrasal verbs have more than one transitive sense but belong in this group when they are used with one particular meaning. For example, 'take back' belongs in this group when it means 'remind someone of something' but not when it means 'regain something'.

Here is a list of phrasal verbs which belong in this group when used with a particular meaning: