two-word verbs

[dido4]

I can say Put the coat on.
Put on the coat.
Put it on.
I can't say Put on it.

Here is the question.

Put down these dictionaries.
Put these dictionaries down.
Put these done.

Can I say Put down these.
Why?

Thank you.

 

[corum]

In terms of relative position of the particle in relation to the verb, we distinguish three types of transitive phrasal verbs:

1. separable optional
It means the object of the verb can come between the verb and the particle or it can come after them. However, if the object is a pronoun, it always has to come between them.

Put your coat on. :tick:
Put on your coat. :tick:
Put it on. :tick:
Put on it. :cross:

2. separable obligatory
Separation is always mandatory.

For example:
Definition from Cambridge Dictionary Online: Free English Dictionary and Thesaurus

3. inseparable
The particle and the verb are inseparable. Nothing can come between them.

I came across this vase. :tick:
I came across it. :tick:
I came this vase across. :cross:
I came it across. :cross:

Can I say "Put down these"?

Strange. It does not sound bad to my ears; still I can't comes up with an explanation as to why it should be okay.

Put it down. :tick:
Put down the receiver. :tick:

It means the pv is separable optional. Separable optional pv's have their pronoun objects obligatorily surrounded by the verb and its particle.

Put down it. :cross:
Put down these. :cross:
Put down these tools. :tick:

 

[billmcd]

In general (there are always exceptions to every rule) phrasal verbs, e.g. "put down" may not be followed by a pronoun. This, that, these and those are demonstrative pronouns.