What are the definitions of “turn up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Appear.
She didn't TURN UP for class today.
- 2Increase volume, temperature, etc..
I TURNED the music UP full blast.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “turn up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb turn up is to increase the volume, temperature, or intensity of something. For example, it can mean making the music louder, raising the heat in a room, or increasing the brightness of a light.
What are the different verb forms of “turn up”?
| Root Verb | turn up |
| Third Person Singular Present | turns up |
| Present Participle | turning up |
| Simple Past | turned up |
| Past Participle | turned up |
Example
Please turn up the volume; I can't hear the movie.
Example
She always turns up the heat when she gets home.
Example
He is turning up the brightness on his computer screen.
Example
Yesterday, they turned up the music at the party.
Example
The volume was turned up too high, and it hurt my ears.
What kind of phrasal verb is “turn 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
“turn 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 turned up the volume on the radio.
Example
He turned the heat up in the house.
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
“turn 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 turned up the volume on the radio.
Example
He turned the heat up in the house.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “turn up”?
Good things to know
Does “turn up” have an informal or formal tone?
Turn up is generally considered a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. However, it can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context. For instance, when discussing technical matters, such as turning up the volume on a sound system, it can have a more formal tone.
