Always split the verb for a pronoun object -- "iron it/them out," never "iron out it/them" -- that's a hard rule. Noun objects usually stay contiguous ("iron out the details") as a soft preference, though "iron the details out" is also grammatical. To introduce a collaborating person or party, use "with," not "about," "for," or "of."
Three separate decisions, not equally strict
The pronoun rule is hard, with no exceptions. A pronoun object must go between "iron" and "out." "Iron them out" is correct; "iron out them" is not, full stop.
The noun-order preference is soft. "Iron out the details" is the more natural default, especially with a long noun phrase, but "iron the details out" is attested and grammatical, so it should never be marked as an error. This is the one place learners over-correct: hearing "iron the details out" and assuming it must be a mistake, when it's simply the less common of two valid orders.
The counterpart preposition is "with." When a person or team is collaborating on the resolution, "with" introduces them as the counterpart -- "about," "for," and "of" don't fill that role and produce a confusing sentence.
"Two small wording inconsistencies remain -- let's iron them out before we send the draft, never iron out them."
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Lyra Practice teaches advanced non-native professionals the nuance of high-value expressions like this one, then has you practice using them in realistic work scenarios.
Start learning for free →"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."
Don't over-apply the pronoun rule to nouns
Don't over-apply the pronoun rule to nouns: a colleague's "iron the details out" is not a mistake to correct, since only pronoun objects require the split form -- nouns have a preference, not a rule. The two errors worth watching for are the opposite ones: forgetting to split a pronoun object, and reaching for the wrong preposition when a person enters the sentence as a counterpart rather than the object being fixed.
Practice scenarios
Practice using "iron out" in situations like:
- 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 phrases:
- "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."
One hard rule, one soft preference, one preposition.
Get the pronoun split right every time, leave the noun order alone, and always bring the counterpart in "with," not "about."
Lyra Practice helps advanced non-native English professionals learn the nuance of high-value workplace expressions and practice using them in realistic scenarios, so their English sounds natural, precise, and senior at work. Try Lyra Practice.