What are the definitions of “put by”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Save for the future.
I try to PUT some money BY every month towards our summer holiday.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “put by”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb put by is to save something, usually money, for future use. It means setting aside a certain amount of money or resources for a specific purpose or for a later time.
What are the different verb forms of “put by”?
| Root Verb | put by |
| Third Person Singular Present | puts by |
| Present Participle | putting by |
| Simple Past | put by |
| Past Participle | put by |
Example
I always put some money by for emergencies.
Example
She puts by a little money each month for her retirement.
Example
He is putting by some funds for his children's education.
Example
Last year, they put by enough money for a family vacation.
Example
The money has been put by for a rainy day.
What kind of phrasal verb is “put by”?
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
“put by” 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 put some money by for her future.
Example
He put by a portion of his salary every month.
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
“put by” 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 put some money by for her future.
Example
He put by a portion of his salary every month.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “put by”?
Good things to know
Does “put by” have an informal or formal tone?
Put by 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 financial planning discussions or written documents.
