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In this post I am going to continue my series on phrasal verbs by looking at Type 2 phrasal verbs - these are verbs which always take an object.

The position of the object is important. Let’s take one simple example to demonstrate where the object is put. The verb ‘turn on’ (つける) is a Type 2 verb.

• Do you mind if I turn on the TV?
• Do you mind if I turn the TV on?

As you can see, the object ( ‘the TV’ ) can be put after the preposition or it can come between the verb and the preposition. If, instead of saying ‘the TV’ you use a pronoun (in this case ‘it’), then the sentence would look like this:

• Do you mind if I turn it on?
• Do you mind if I turn on it?

If the object is a pronoun (it, them, him, her), then you have to put it between the preposition and the verb.

Let’s look at some example sentences using the following Type 2 phrasal verbs:

turn down / take off / call back / point out / take up / make up / hand over / work out

• “Can you turn the TV down, please. I’m trying to work.” （音を小さくする）
• “He was offered a job in Tokyo, but he turned it down.” （断る）
• “Do you mind if I take off my shoes?” （脱ぐ）
• “I’m a little busy right now - can I call you back in an hour?” （折り返し電話をする）
• “I showed him the report and he pointed out a few mistakes.” （指摘する）
• “I’ve decided to take up a new hobby.” （はじめる）
• “I don’t believe a word he said - I think he made it all up.” （作り話・嘘をつく）
• “I handed my passport over to the immigration clerk.” （手渡す）
• “I can’t work out why he got so angry.” （分かる・計算する・問題を解く）

For a little exercise, try completing the following sentences with a suitable phrasal verb from the list above. Listen to the audio to check your answers.

1. Mr.Jones called while you were out. I said I would ask you to ___ ___ ___.
2. Apparently, he asked her out, but she ___ ___ ___.
3. It was quite tricky, but I managed to ___ ___ ___ in the end.
4. Do you want to ___ your coat ___ ?
5. The TV’s a bit too loud - can you ___ ___ ___?
6. Sometimes it’s better not to ___ ___ other people’s mistakes.

Check back next time for Type 3 phrasal verbs!