What are the definitions of “go up to”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 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.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “go up to”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb go up to is to approach or move towards someone or something. For example, it can mean walking towards a person to start a conversation, or moving closer to an object or place.
What are the different verb forms of “go up to”?
| Root Verb | go up to |
| Third Person Singular Present | goes up to |
| Present Participle | going up to |
| Simple Past | went up to |
| Past Participle | gone 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.
Example
He is going up to the stage to receive his award.
Example
Yesterday, she went up to the stranger and asked for directions.
Example
He has gone up to the mountain top many times.
What kind of phrasal verb is “go up to”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“go up to” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She went up to him and asked him if he wanted a drink.
Example
I went up to the counter to order a coffee.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“go up to” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She went up to him and asked him if he wanted a drink.
Example
I went up to the counter to order a coffee.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “go up to”?
Good things to know
Does “go up to” have an informal or formal tone?
Go up to is a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more commonly used in informal and everyday conversations. For example, 'She went up to him and asked him if he wanted a drink.' is a casual way of saying that she approached him.
