What are the definitions of “put up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 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.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “put up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb put up is to allow someone to stay at your house for a short period, such as a night or a few days. It often refers to providing temporary accommodation for a friend, family member, or guest.
What are the different verb forms of “put up”?
Root Verb | put up |
Third Person Singular Present | puts up |
Present Participle | putting up |
Simple Past | put up |
Past Participle | 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.
Example
He is putting up his sister at his apartment for a few days.
Example
They put up their relatives during the holidays.
Example
He has put up many guests in his home over the years.
What kind of phrasal verb is “put 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
“put 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
She put up her friend for the night.
Example
He put his cousin up in the guest room.
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 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
She put up her friend for the night.
Example
He put his cousin up in the guest room.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “put up”?
Put up prices
Increase prices, taxes, duties, or other financial amounts.
Example
The store put up the prices of their products due to increased demand.
Good things to know
Does “put up” have an informal or formal tone?
Put 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, depending on the specific context.