Phrasal verbs "put up" vs "put up to"

Differences between put up and put up to

Put up means to place something in a high position or to provide accommodation for someone, while put up to means to encourage or persuade someone to do something, often mischievous or daring.

Meanings and Definitions: put up vs put up to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Put up

  • 1Allow someone to stay at your house for a night or a few days..

    She PUT me UP for the night because I'd missed the last bus and there were no night buses running.

  • 2Increase prices, taxes, duties, etc..

    The government has PUT tuition fees for undergraduate students UP again.

  • 3Show skill or determination in a contest, competition, fight, etc.

    They PUT UP a great fight but lost.

Put up to

  • 1Encourage someone to do something.

    His friends PUT him UP TO stealing it.

Usage Examples: put up, put up to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

put up

Example

I put up my cousin for the weekend while he was in town.

Example

She puts up her friends whenever they visit the city.

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 Put up

hang up

To place something on a hook or hanger.

Example

She hung up her coat on the rack by the door.

set up

To arrange or prepare something for use or operation.

Example

He set up the tent in the camping area before starting the fire.

To offer accommodation or housing for someone.

Example

The hotel provided lodging for the tourists during their stay in the city.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Put up to

To encourage or provoke someone to do something, often negative or risky.

Example

His friends egged him on to jump off the cliff into the water below.

talk into

To persuade or convince someone to do something.

Example

She talked him into going to the party even though he wasn't sure he wanted to.

To gently persuade or urge someone to do something.

Example

She coaxed her daughter into trying the new food by telling her how delicious it was.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “put”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

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

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

In daily conversation, people use put up more often than put up to. This is because put up has a broader range of meanings and can be used in various contexts. Put up to is more specific and not as commonly used. It's mainly used when we're talking about influencing someone to do something.

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

Put up 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 put up and put up to

The tone of put up and put up to can differ based on context. Put up often carries a practical or helpful tone when related to providing accommodation or setting something up, while put up to typically has a mischievous or daring tone, especially when referring to encouraging someone to do something they might not otherwise do.

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