Prepositional Verbs
verb + preposition
Rule: Prepositional verbs always have direct objects. Prepositional verbs cannot be separated; you cannot put the direct object between the two parts.
- Correct: You must agree to the new guidelines.
- Incorrect: There are new guidelines that you must agree to.
Phrasal Verbs
verb + adverb/preposition
Rule: Phrasal verbs can be separated; however, to maintain formal sentence structure, change the preposition to keep the adverb/preposition as close to the verb as possible.
Rule: Remove or change the preposition to avoid ending the sentence with the preposition.
- Correct: After you finish, turn off the light.
- Incorrect: After you finish, turn the light off.
Note: Do this only if the meaning and style of the sentence do not change. Prepositional verbs cannot be changed in this way.
- Example: Be sure to stick around. (Removing "around" would change the meaning.)
- Example: You get what you pay for. (Changing the order would alter the style.)