What are the definitions of “put up to”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Encourage someone to do something.
His friends PUT him UP TO stealing it.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “put up to”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb put up to is to encourage or persuade someone to do something, often something wrong or mischievous. It implies that the person being encouraged might not have done the action without the influence of others.
What are the different verb forms of “put up to”?
| Root Verb | put up to |
| Third Person Singular Present | puts up to |
| Present Participle | putting up to |
| Simple Past | put up to |
| Past Participle | put up to |
Example
She put her sister up to playing a prank on their parents.
Example
He puts his friends up to doing silly things for fun.
Example
They are putting their classmates up to skipping school.
Example
Yesterday, she put her brother up to hiding their father's keys.
Example
The kids were put up to making a mess by their older cousin.
What kind of phrasal verb is “put 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
“put 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 put his friend up to stealing the candy.
Example
She put her sister up to lying to their parents.
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 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 put his friend up to stealing the candy.
Example
She put her sister up to lying to their parents.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “put up to”?
Good things to know
Does “put up to” have an informal or formal tone?
Put up to is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in casual conversations. In more formal settings, alternative phrases such as 'encourage,' 'persuade,' or 'influence' may be more appropriate.
