Differences between go up to and put up to
Go up to means to approach someone or something physically, while put up to means to encourage or persuade someone to do something.
Meanings and Definitions: go up to vs put up to
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Go up to
- 1Approach.
She WENT UP TO him and asked him if he wanted a drink.
- 2Attend a university.
She WENT UP TO Cambridge after she finished secondary school.
- 3Reach.
The book only GOES UP TO the start of the Second World War.
Put up to
- 1Encourage someone to do something.
His friends PUT him UP TO stealing it.
Usage Examples: go up to, put up to in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
go up to
Example
I will go up to the counter and order our food.
Example
She always goes up to the teacher after class to ask questions.
put up to
Example
She put her sister up to playing a prank on their parents.
Example
He puts his friends up to doing silly things for fun.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Go up to
To move towards someone or something with the intention of speaking or interacting with them.
Example
I decided to approach the group of people at the party and introduce myself.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Put up to
talk into
To persuade or convince someone to do something they may not want to do.
Example
Her friends talked her into going skydiving even though she was scared of heights.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “go”
Phrasal Verbs with “put”
Phrasal Verbs with “up to”
Differences in go up to vs put up to: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: go up to or put up to?
In daily conversation, people use go up to more often than put up to. This is because go up to is used for more common situations such as approaching someone in a social setting or walking up to a location. Put up to is not used as much and is more specific to situations where someone is being encouraged to do something. So, while both phrases are used, go up to is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of go up to and put up to
Go up to and put 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 go up to and put up to
The tone of go up to and put up to can differ based on context. Go up to often carries a friendly or curious tone when related to approaching someone or something, while put up to typically has a persuasive or manipulative tone, especially when referring to encouraging someone to do something they may not want to do.
