Phrasal verbs 9 - away/back

Phrasal verbs with the particles away and back are common and useful. They pair a verb with a particle (away/back) to create meanings such as returning, removing, discarding, or reversing an action. Many are separable and appear frequently in workplace and everyday English.

• Away often implies removal, separation, or disposal (e.g., throw away, put away).
• Back often implies return, restoration, or retraction (e.g., send back, take back, bring back).
• Some phrasal verbs change meaning depending on whether you use away or back (e.g., give away vs. give back).

Two important points when using phrasal verbs with away/back:

• Many are separable: with a noun object you can place the object between the verb and particle (put the files away) or after (put away the files).
• If the object is a pronoun, it must come between the verb and the particle (put it away, give them back).
• Away generally indicates removal/disposal; back generally indicates return/restoration or retraction.

Remember: pronouns go between verb + particle; check meaning (away vs. back) to avoid errors.

Watch out for these universal errors when using phrasal verbs with away/back:

• Placing a pronoun after the particle (Incorrect: 'put away it') — pronouns must come between verb and particle.
• Using the wrong particle and changing the meaning (e.g., 'throw back' vs. 'throw away').
• Assuming all phrasal verbs are separable — some are inseparable and do not allow object insertion.
• Translating word-for-word and misunderstanding idiomatic meaning (treating particle as literal preposition).

Check whether the phrasal verb is separable and confirm the correct particle to convey the intended meaning.