When you’re learning English, some of the most frustrating grammar rules hide in plain sight. One of those tricky areas? Where to place adverbs in relation to phrasal verbs. Should you say “He quickly looked up the number” or “He looked up quickly the number”?
Let’s break it all down with clear examples, practical rules, and some quick references you can come back to any time.
Keyword + Intro Explanation
The phrase “adverb placement before phrasal verbs” refers to how we arrange adverbs—like quickly, always, or carefully—when they appear around phrasal verbs, which are multi-word expressions like look up, turn off, or give in.
Getting it right can completely change the tone or clarity of your sentence. That’s why understanding these patterns is so important, especially in writing and formal settings.
Simple Definition + Usage Overview
A phrasal verb is made of a verb + one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs), such as:
- turn off (The lights)
- bring up (An issue)
- take over (A company)
An adverb describes how, when, or to what extent an action happens:
- quickly, never, often, clearly, completely
Now, when you combine the two—where does the adverb go? That’s where things get interesting.
Clear Rules & Patterns
Adverbs can go before, between, or after a phrasal verb, depending on the type of phrasal verb and the emphasis of the sentence. Let’s simplify with some rules.
Transitive Phrasal Verbs (with objects)
These are verbs that need a direct object, like:
- Turn off the light
- Look up a word
You can insert adverbs between the verb and the particle:
✅ He quickly turned off the light.
✅ I usually look up unfamiliar terms.
But avoid placing the adverb after the whole phrase:
❌ He turned off quickly the light. ← Sounds awkward.
Intransitive Phrasal Verbs (no objects)
These work without a direct object:
- Give in, wake up, show up
Adverbs often go before or after the entire verb phrase:
✅ She always wakes up early.
✅ He gave in eventually.
✅ Bulleted Rules with Do’s/Don’ts
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of do’s and don’ts for placing adverbs around phrasal verbs:
✔️ Do’s
- ✅ Place adverbs between the verb and particle in transitive phrasal verbs.
- ✅ Use adverbs before the phrasal verb for emphasis or rhythm.
- ✅ Use frequency adverbs (always, never, often) before the phrasal verb.
❌ Don’ts
- ❌ Don’t place adverbs after the particle if it splits the object.
- ❌ Don’t treat all phrasal verbs the same—transitive vs. intransitive makes a big difference.
- ❌ Don’t forget that some adverbs work best at the beginning or end of a sentence instead.
📧 Scenario Email Example: Business Writing
Let’s say you’re emailing your coworker Tanya:
Subject: Project Timeline Update
Hi Tanya,
I just wanted to clarify that we already brought up the design changes in the last meeting.
We should carefully go over the client’s feedback before finalizing the prototype.
Let me know if you’d like to quickly run through the notes together.
Best,
Josh
See how the adverbs blend naturally before the phrasal verbs?
📘 Multiple Example Sentences
Let’s look at more examples to drive the point home.
| Sentence | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| She quickly turned off the oven. | Adverb between verb and particle (transitive) |
| We never bring up politics at dinner. | Frequency adverb before phrasal verb |
| They gave in reluctantly. | Intransitive verb with adverb after |
| You always show up late. | Frequency adverb before intransitive phrasal verb |
| He completely messed up the report. | Emphasis with strong adverb before particle |
🔄 Before/After Examples in Everyday and Formal Contexts
Everyday Conversation
Before (awkward):
❌ She looked up quickly the address.
After (natural):
✅ She quickly looked up the address.
Formal Writing
Before (wrong tone):
❌ The manager turned down rudely the request.
After (refined):
✅ The manager rudely turned down the request.
❌ Common Mistakes & Fixes
Highlight Confusion Points and Correct Usage
Let’s look at some real mistakes learners make and how to fix them.
❌ Mistake 1: Placing adverb after the object
He turned off the TV quickly.
✅ This is acceptable, but may sound slightly awkward depending on the context. Better:
He quickly turned off the TV.
❌ Mistake 2: Adverb splits particle and object unnaturally
They gave up easily the task.
❌ Incorrect.
✅ Correct: They easily gave up the task OR They gave up the task easily.
❌ Mistake 3: Frequency adverb misplaced
She wakes late always up.
❌ Sounds robotic.
✅ Try: She always wakes up late.
📋 Quick Reference Table
Here’s a summary table for easy quick lookup:
| Adverb Type | Best Placement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency (always, never) | Before phrasal verb | He always brings up old stories. |
| Manner (quickly, easily) | Between verb & particle (transitive) | She quickly turned off the light. |
| Emphasis (completely, totally) | Before phrasal verb | They totally messed up the plan. |
| Time/Sequence (eventually, finally) | After intransitive verb | He showed up eventually. |
| With pronouns | Adverb before verb | I always call her back. |
🧠 Final Thoughts: Mastering the Flow of Adverbs and Phrasal Verbs
It may feel a bit overwhelming at first, but with some practice, placing adverbs around phrasal verbs becomes second nature. When in doubt, read it out loud—if it sounds off, it probably is.
A good trick is to listen to how native speakers use these patterns in conversations, shows, or podcasts. You’ll start to hear that “She really brought that up nicely” flows better than “She brought up really that.”
Now that you’ve got a solid understanding of adverb placement before phrasal verbs, you’re ready to write (and speak) with more natural rhythm, polish, and confidence.
