What are the definitions of “load up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Take illegal drugs.
He's been LOADING UP for years.
- 2Fill a machine or vehicle.
We LOADED the car UP and left for our holiday.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “load up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb load up is to fill a machine or vehicle with items or cargo. For example, it can mean putting luggage in a car, filling a truck with goods, or packing a washing machine with clothes.
What are the different verb forms of “load up”?
| Root Verb | load up |
| Third Person Singular Present | loads up |
| Present Participle | loading up |
| Simple Past | loaded up |
| Past Participle | loaded up |
Example
Before the trip, we need to load up the car with our luggage.
Example
She loads up the washing machine with dirty clothes.
Example
He is loading up the truck with boxes for the move.
Example
Yesterday, they loaded up the van with furniture.
Example
The truck was loaded up with supplies for the disaster relief effort.
What kind of phrasal verb is “load up”?
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
“load up” 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
We loaded up the car with our luggage.
Example
She loaded the washing machine up with dirty clothes.
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
“load up” 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
We loaded up the car with our luggage.
Example
She loaded the washing machine up with dirty clothes.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “load up”?
Good things to know
Does “load up” have an informal or formal tone?
Load up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, such as business or academic discussions, depending on the specific context.
