What are the definitions of “go up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Rise or climb.
The price of petrol has GONE UP sharply because of the increase in duty in the Government's budget.
- 2Approach.
We WENT UP and asked them for some information about the courses.
- 3Be built.
Skyscrapers are GOING UP everywhere in the city centre.
- 4Be heard.
A huge cheer WENT UP when the president arrived.
- 5Be promoted.
The top three teams GO UP at the end of the season.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “go up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb go up is to rise or climb. It can be used to talk about prices, numbers, or levels increasing. For example, it can mean the cost of something increasing, the temperature rising, or the level of something getting higher.
What are the different verb forms of “go up”?
| Root Verb | go up |
| Third Person Singular Present | goes up |
| Present Participle | going up |
| Simple Past | went up |
| Past Participle | gone up |
Example
The price of bread goes up every year.
Example
The temperature goes up in the summer.
Example
The number of people in the city is going up.
Example
The cost of living went up last year.
Example
The price of petrol has gone up sharply.
What kind of phrasal verb is “go 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.)
Intransitive verb
“go up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The price of petrol has gone up sharply.
Example
The temperature goes up in the summer.
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
“go 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
The price of petrol has gone up sharply.
Example
The temperature goes up in the summer.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “go up”?
Good things to know
Does “go up” have an informal or formal tone?
Go up is a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations as well as in written English, such as in news reports or academic writing. For example, in a business report, one might say, 'The company's profits went up last quarter.'
