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'Up' has many functions in English including indicating location. In this lesson, we will discover all about this lesson.
'Up' performs many functions in English. It can be used as a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb, and a preposition. In this lesson, we will discuss how to learn and use it.
Functions of 'Up'
'Up' as an Adverb
Use
When it comes to adverbs, we have different types of them. Below, we are going to analyze how 'up' can function as different kinds of adverbs in sentences:
'Up' as an Adverb of Direction and Movement
'Up' can function as an adverb of movement and direction. Look below:
- We can use 'up' to show movement towards a higher direction:
These plates are
I want this frame to be
- When we want to show that something is raised or pulled out of the ground, we use 'up':
Joseph loves digging potatoes
- When we want to indicate that something is moving vertically, we can use 'up' to show the direction:
I want John to stand
You can sit
- When we want to indicate the top position of something, we can use 'up':
Professor Brown's office is
The meeting will be held
- When we want to indicate someone is moving close to something/someone else, we use 'up':
Smirking, the killer walked
Here, the sentence is showing that the killer moved closer to that person.
I'm not the kind of person to go
- When we want to show that we are moving north, we can use 'up':
I'll be travelling
They're going
Position in a Sentence
Since we use 'up' here as an adverb of direction and movement, we must put them after the main verb to show us in what direction the action is taking place. Take a look at the following examples:
I think they're going
Here, since the verb is transitive, the direct object has come between the verb and the adverb.
Sit
'Up' as an Adverb of Degree
When we want to show that something is increasing in amount or degree, we can use 'up' as an adverb of degree. Take a look at the following examples:
Turn it
Here, it indicates that the volume must be increased.
Let's warm
Position in a Sentence
When we want to show the degree of the action taking place, we must put the adverb after the main verb. However, when we have phrasal verbs, we must put the direct object between the verb and the adverb:
The fire is
The killing rate has been increased
Particles
Sometimes adverbs can join verbs and make completely different meanings. Adverbs no longer function as adverbs there, but they are called particles. Words like 'keep up', 'catch up', 'give up' and etc. are in this category. Below, we will learn all about them:
- We can use 'up' with verbs like 'be', 'get' and 'stay' to show that someone is not in bed sleeping:
Anna, it's time to
My friend and I
- When something exists and is visible, we can use 'up' with verbs like 'set', 'bring', 'come', 'show', and etc:
I was completely hopeless until your name
They were walking slowly when suddenly a wolf
- When we want to indicate that some things are equal to one another in quality, knowledge and etc, we use 'up' with verbs like 'catch', and 'keep':
Sorry I wasn't able to
With all the technological advancement, It's difficult for old people to
- When we want to indicate that some things/people are together, we can use 'up' with verbs like 'add', 'gather', 'collect', and etc:
I cannot come on Wednesday because I want to
- When we want to hold something tightly in a position or cover something, we use 'up' with verbs like 'wrap', 'tie', and etc:
Mom, can you
The letters were
- We can use 'up' with verbs like 'blow', 'cut', 'fold', 'smash' to show that something has been turned into smaller pieces:
The building was
Write your number on a piece of paper,
- When we want to indicate that someone is growing older, we use 'up' with verbs like 'grow', 'bring' and etc:
Learning to become independent is part of
- When we want to show that something is wrong, or when we sense a problem, we use 'up' with the verb 'be':
My daughter tells me that she feels something
Here, it means that there is a problem between two people.
Something
- When a period of time has come to an end, we use 'up' with the verb 'be' to show it:
Hurry up! Time
five minutes
- When something has been improved into a better state or position, we use 'up' with verbs like 'move' and 'be':
Jeremy's office has been
By the next summer, she will have
- When something has ended, we use 'up' with verbs like 'end', 'finish' and 'round':
I will
If she keeps pickpocketing, she will
- When someone's hair is tied up, it is either on the top or on the back of their head:
Hannah looks cute with her
Tip!
It might be helpful to know that British speakers use 'up' with verbs when they want to talk about a trial in court or an unsuitable road for driving. Look:
Charlie is
That road is
Position in a Sentence
As it was stated, these adverbs or prepositions join verbs to make phrasal verbs. They mainly come after the subject in the sentence. If we have an auxiliary verb, phrasal verbs come after them. Notice that if we have an imperative sentence, we put the verb at the beginning of the sentence. Look:
Mary wants to
Here, we have an imperative sentence and the verb is used at the beginning of the sentence.
'Up' as a Preposition
Another use of 'up' is to function as a preposition. Below, we are going to see the different kinds of prepositions it can be:
Use
'Up' as a Preposition of Direction and Movement
We can use 'up' as a preposition of direction and moevement. Look:
- When we want to indicate that something/someone is in a higher position. Look:
With a bruise
I could see a big cockroach
- When we want to show that something/someone is on the top of another, we can use 'up':
Jerry is standing
- When we want to indicate that something is along something else:
She lives just
They waved at us and shot off
Tip!
It might come in handy to know that British people sometimes use 'up' when they want to talk about going to a place. Look:
He is going
Position in a Sentence
As you already know, prepositions come before nouns. We can put these prepositions at the beginning of the sentence, in the middle, or at the end of the sentence. Pay attention to the examples below:
As you can see, we can begin a sentence using a prepositional phrase.
The cat,
As you can see, we mainly put the prepositional phrase after the subject.
I can see a lizard
As you can see, we can also use the prepositional phrase after the object at the end of the sentence,
Warning!
Please note that whenever we use a prepositional phrase at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence, we must have commas. Study the following examples for more clarification:
When we begin a sentence with a prepositional phrase, we must have a comma after it.
The little girl,
When we have a prepositional phrase in the middle of the sentence, we must put it between two commas.
'Up' as an Adjective
'Up' can also function as an adjective. In this part, we are going to see the different types of adjectives 'up' can be:
Use
'Up' as an Attributive Adjective
We can use 'up' to indicate that something is moving up. Look:
This is an
There are no
Position in a Sentence
Since 'up' is functioning as an attributive adjective here, it always comes before nouns. Look:
Where can we find the
'Up' as a Predicative Adjective
- When we want to indicate that a system, a computer, a machine and etc. is working properly, we use 'up':
You can use the computer once it is
When will the system be
- When someone is feeling happy, we use 'up' to describe them:
Hannah has been really
I've been really
Position in a Sentence
As you know, predicative adjectives are used after verbs. We can also put an intensifier before them to emphasize their effect. Look:
She's been really
Here, an intensifier has been used.
I want you to check if all systems are
'Up' as a Verb
Use
'Up' as a verb has two meanings. Below, we will analyze them and see how they are used:
- One is to show an increase in something, especially a price:
In order to gain more profit, we'd better
The government has decide to ban
- We can also use 'up' to show that something happened unexpectedly. This one is used in informal contexts:
After dinner, they
Mariana
Position in a Sentence
As you know, verbs mainly come after the subject. Please note that if we have an imperative sentence, we mus begin the sentence with the verb. Look:
We will
Here, an auxiliary verb has been used before the main verb.
The students
'Up' as a Noun
Use
- When we want to talk about a good thing or a positive mood, we use 'up' as a noun:
You can't always expect to have
Position in a Sentence
As you know, nouns can be used as the subject, object, or object of a preposition in a sentence. Look at the following examples:
If you only have
Here, 'up' is functioning as the direct object in the sentence.
Here, 'up' is used as the subject of a noun clause.
Idioms and Expressions with 'Up'
We have many idioms and expressions with 'up' in English. Below, we are going to learn all about them:
- Up and down: This one is used to show that something moves from a higher position to a lower one repeatedly:
You have been jumping
Isn't she tired of bouncing
- Up and about/around: When someone is able to get out of bed and do stuff after a long period of sickness, we use this idiom:
She had a terrible accident last week but today she is
Although they had a traumatic evening yesterday, they are
- What's up: This one is used when greeting someone and when we want to ask about the problem:
Hey everyone,
Here, the speaker is greeting some people.
- What's up with: When we want to indicate that we do not understand what something/someone means, we use this idiom:
- Up for something: When something/someone is intended or considered for something, we use this expression to show it:
I think he's
That mansion up the hill is
- Up for doing something: When someone is willing to participate in something, we can use this expression:
She is
They are
- Be up yourself: When we want to indicate that someone thinks that they are better than others, we use this expression:
Bridgette is so
- On the up and up: When something is improving rapidly, we use this expression:
Maya's career has been
His grades have been
- Up in the air: When we are uncertain of something, we use this expression:
The future of the country is
I know it's important to you but the result is still
- Up to par: When something/someone is functioning properly, we use this expression:
Jennifer has been
I don't think I've been
- Up to scratch: When something is done properly and is based on specific standards:
What do you mean his last poem was not
Annabelle's last essay was written
- Up to something: When someone is devising a plan we can use this expression. It can also mean that someone is able to do something:
I can sense she's
Here, the sentence is showing someone is planning something.
I know I have a lot to do but I'm just not
- Up and running: When a system is working properly, we use this expression:
The computers are all
After a complete repair, the machine was
- Ups and downs: When there are both good and bad experiences, we use this expression to refer to them:
I wish someone had told me about the
Maria has had many
- Up to now: When we want to indicate that a situation has been in a particular way to the present moment, we use this expression:
This expression is mostly used in negative sentences.
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