From Kenneth Beare,
Your Guide to English as 2nd Language.
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A. There are four types of phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable and they can take an object or not. Here is a guide to the basics of phrasal verbs.

Phrasal Verbs which Take Objects

Phrasal verbs which take objects can be separable or inseparable:

Separable phrasal verbs can remain together when using an object that is a noun or noun phrase.

• I picked Tom up. OR I picked up Tom.
• They put their friends up. OR They put up their friends.

Separable phrasal verbs MUST be separated when a pronoun is used:

• We picked him up at the station. NOT We picked up him at the station.
• They put them up. NOT They put up them.

Inseparable phrasal verbs always remain together. It makes no difference if a noun or pronoun is used.

• We set off for the beach. / We set off for it.
• They are looking after the children. / They are looking after them.

Phrasal Verbs which Don't Take Objects

Some phrasal verbs do not take objects. These phrasal verbs are ALWAYS inseparable.

• They thieves got away.
• The bus broke down on the way to work.
• She got up early.

TIP!

If you are not sure whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable, ALWAYS use a noun or nouns phrase and DO NOT separate. In this manner, you will always be correct!

Separable Phrasal Verbs: bring up, take off

• They brought up their children to respect others.
• She took off her jacket before she began the lesson.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs: look for, set off

• She was looking for her books when he arrived.
• They set off for a wonderful holiday in Hawaii.

Three-word Phrasal Verbs

Some verbs are followed by two prepositions (or adverbs). These phrasal verbs are ALWAYS inseparable.

• I'm looking forward to meeting John. OR I'm looking forward to meeting him.
• They didn't get on with their mother. OR They didn't get on with her.