Here is another example of confusing knowledge of what is possible in the language and how that knowledge is used.

>>> Eduard Hanganu <[log in to unmask]> 09/04/11 7:50 AM >>>

 You still have not provided any evidence that "native speakers" are "experts" in their own language. ALL native speakers of any language have trouble expressing themselves. No native speakers are "masters" of their dialects or languages and can express themselves without flaw. 

. . . 
No one claims that speakers of a language don't make mistakes.  However, there are all kinds of examples about knowledge of our primary language that people are never taught.   Let me give an example.

In English there are phrasal verbs like turn off, pick up, put out.  

1) She turned off the lights.
2) She picked up the dog.
3) She put out the dog.

Now, the particle can "move" after the object.

4) She turned the lights off.
5) She picked the dog up.
6) She put the dog out.

This is not an optional rule if the object is a pronoun; the movement is obligatory.

8a) She turned them off.
  b) She turned off them.
9a) She picked it up.
  b) *She picked up it.
10a) She put it out.
   b) *She put out it.

Eduard, as you know, this rule is taught to non-native speakers of English.  It is not a rule that is in any book to teach grammar in English.  

How do you explain this knowledge about phrasal verbs that ALL native-speakers of English have?

Bob Yates, University of Central Missouri 

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