Phrasal verbs "be up" vs "be up to"

Differences between be up and be up to

The main difference between be up and be up to is that be up refers to being awake or out of bed, while be up to means to be doing something, often something mischievous or secretive.

Meanings and Definitions: be up vs be up to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Be up

• 1. Be out of bed.

  She's not UP yet.

• 2. Have increased or risen.

  The company's profits ARE UP by fifteen percent.

• 3. When the time for something finishes or expires.

  Time's UP, please finish your drinks and leave.

Be up to

• 1. Be good enough.

  He's not UP TO the job; get someone else.

• 2. Doing something naughty or wrong.

  What are those kids UP TO?

Usage Examples: be up, be up to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

be up

Example

She will be up early tomorrow morning.

Example

He is up and getting ready for work.

be up to

Example

What are you up to this weekend?

Example

She is up to something, but I can't figure out what.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be up

be awake

To not be sleeping or unconscious.

Example

I'm usually awake by 6 am every morning.

be out of bed

To have gotten out of bed and started the day.

Example

I'm not a morning person, so I usually don't get out of bed until 8 am.

be vertical

To be standing or upright.

Example

After sitting for hours, it feels good to be vertical and stretch my legs.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be up to

be into something

To be interested or involved in something.

Example

Lately, I've been into learning how to cook new dishes.

be up for something

To be willing or ready to do something.

Example

I'm up for trying that new restaurant tonight if you are.

be scheming

To be secretly planning or plotting something.

Example

I don't trust him. He's always scheming something behind our backs.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “be”

• be taken with
• be down with
• be in
• be snowed under
• be taken aback

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

• build up
• shut up
• toss up
• suck up
• stiffen up

Phrasal Verbs with “up to”

• make up to
• go up to
• add up to
• make it up to
• chalk up to

Differences in be up vs be up to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: be up or be up to?

In daily conversation, be up is more common than be up to. This is because be up is a simple phrase used to describe someone's state of being, while be up to implies a specific action or behavior. However, both phrases are used in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of be up and be up to

Be up and be up to are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of be up and be up to

The tone of be up and be up to can differ based on context. Be up is neutral and straightforward, while be up to can carry a playful or suspicious tone, depending on the situation.

be up & be up to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be up

Synonyms

• awake
• rise
• arise
• elevate
• increase
• grow
• expand
• enlarge
• get up
• stand up

Antonyms

• sleep
• rest
• decrease
• diminish
• shrink
• reduce
• fall
• drop
• lie down
• decline

Be up to

Synonyms

• competent
• engaged in
• involved in
• capable of
• able to
• qualified for

Antonyms

• unqualified
• incompetent
• incapable of
• unable to