Always split this verb when its object is a pronoun. Say "iron it/them out," not "iron out it/them"; that is a firm grammar rule. Nouns usually follow the complete verb ("iron out the details"), yet "iron the details out" is also correct. Use "with" for a person or team helping you solve it, not "about," "for," or "of" for that role.
Quick check: place pronoun objects inside the separable phrasal verb.
Use the concrete status, scope, and register in the case—not the verbs alone.
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Learn "Iron Out" in depth →Three separate decisions, not equally strict
The pronoun rule is firm. Put each "object pronoun" between "iron" and "out." Therefore, "iron them out" is grammatical, while "iron out them" is not.
The noun order is more flexible. "Iron out the details" is more common, especially with a longer noun phrase. But "iron the details out" is also standard English, so do not mark it as an error. Learners may correct the less common order unnecessarily, although both are valid for nouns.
The word for bringing in another person is "with." Use it when someone works on the solution beside you. "About," "for," and "of" do not show that "collaborator" role here; they may change the meaning or create confusion.
"Two small wording inconsistencies remain -- let's iron them out before we send the draft, never iron out them."
"We need to iron out the remaining agenda and timing details before the workshop begins (iron the remaining agenda and timing details out is also correct, just less natural here)."
"We'll iron out the remaining packaging details with the supplier before the pilot -- not about, for, or of the supplier."
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Start the "Iron Out" learning path →Don't over-apply the pronoun rule to nouns
Do not apply the pronoun rule to nouns. A colleague's "iron the details out" is not a mistake because only pronouns require separation. Noun order is a preference, not a fixed rule. Focus instead on unsplit pronouns and the wrong preposition for a person helping.
Practice scenarios
Consider these "iron out" practice situations.
- placing a pronoun object correctly under time pressure in a live conversation
- recognizing that a noun object in the less common order isn't wrong
- choosing "with" instead of "about," "for," or "of" when a person joins the sentence
Useful practice language to consider.
- "Let's iron them out before we send the draft."
- "We'll iron out the remaining details with the vendor."
- "Iron the details out is also fine, just less common than iron out the details."
Write the accurate update for Granite Press
There is one firm rule, one preference, and one preposition.
Split pronouns each time. Allow either noun order. Use "with" for the other person, not "about."
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