What are the definitions of “hook up to”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Connect to a machine.
He's HOOKED UP TO a ventilator in the hospital.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “hook up to”?
The phrasal verb hook up to means to connect something, often a person or device, to a machine or system for a specific purpose.
What are the different verb forms of “hook up to”?
| Root Verb | *hook up to* |
| Third Person Singular Present | *hooks up to* |
| Present Participle | *hooking up to* |
| Simple Past | *hooked up to* |
| Past Participle | *hooked up to* |
Example
They always hook up their devices to the Wi-Fi network.
Example
She hooks up her laptop to the projector for presentations.
Example
They're currently hooking up their new TV to the cable box.
Example
Yesterday, he hooked up his phone to the car's audio system.
Example
The patient had been hooked up to various monitoring devices.
What kind of phrasal verb is “hook 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
“hook 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
He's hooked up to a ventilator in the hospital.
Example
She hooks up her guitar to the amplifier before performing.
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
“hook 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
He's hooked up to a ventilator in the hospital.
Example
She hooks up her guitar to the amplifier before performing.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “hook up to”?
Hook up electronic devices
To establish connections between electronic devices and other systems.
Example
Before the presentation, she hooks up her laptop to the projector.
Hook up for entertainment
To connect devices for entertainment purposes, such as gaming consoles to a TV.
Example
They're excited to hook up their gaming console to the big screen.
Good things to know
Does “hook up to” have an informal or formal tone?
The phrasal verb hook up to is commonly used in both casual and technical contexts to describe the process of connecting devices, machines, or people to systems. It is suitable for various situations but may sound overly informal in highly formal or professional settings.
What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “hook up to”?
Synonyms
- connect to
- attach to
- link to
- plug into
- join to
Antonyms
- disconnect from
- unhook from
- detach from
- separate from
