Please turn off the fans.
vs.
Please turn the fans off.
Please explain as well, preferably with examples.
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Answered at Is it correct to change the common structure in these phrasal verbs? (this specific example, in Cool Elf's answer).– Edwin AshworthCommented Jan 11, 2017 at 22:51
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1 Answer
Both are fine as 'turn off' is a separable phrasal verb.
The exception is when such a verb is used with the pronoun it - you must separate apart the verb in that case.
So this would be right:
Turn it off.
But this would not:
Turn off it.
Stylistically, you would also generally avoid separating the verb if the noun phrase were very long or convoluted.
That, is rather than saying,
Turn the newly delivered surround sound television set off.
It would be preferable stylistically to say,
Turn off the newly delivered surround sound television set
