What are the definitions of “sum up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Summarise.
At the end of the lecture, she SUMMED UP the main points again.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “sum up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb sum up is to briefly explain or give a summary of something, such as the main points of a discussion, a story, or an event. It is often used when you want to provide a quick overview or recap of the main ideas.
What are the different verb forms of “sum up”?
| Root Verb | sum up |
| Third Person Singular Present | sums up |
| Present Participle | summing up |
| Simple Past | summed up |
| Past Participle | summed up |
Example
Can you sum up the main points of the meeting?
Example
He sums up the news article in a few sentences.
Example
She is summing up the main ideas of the presentation.
Example
Yesterday, they summed up the key takeaways from the conference.
Example
The main points have been summed up in the conclusion.
What kind of phrasal verb is “sum 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
“sum 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 summed up the main points of the lecture.
Example
He summed the main ideas up in a few sentences.
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
“sum 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 summed up the main points of the lecture.
Example
He summed the main ideas up in a few sentences.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “sum up”?
Sum up one's feelings
To express one's emotions or thoughts concisely.
Example
It's hard to sum up my feelings about the situation in just a few words.
Good things to know
Does “sum up” have an informal or formal tone?
Sum up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as academic discussions, business meetings, or written reports.
