What are the definitions of “churn up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To cause to appear or be felt again, especially emotions or memories.
Running into his old girlfriend churned up a lot of buried feelings.
- 2To stir up or agitate.
The rainstorm churned up the rivers so they ran brown with silt.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “churn up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb churn up is to stir up or agitate something, such as water or soil. It can also be used to describe the process of causing emotions or memories to resurface.
What are the different verb forms of “churn up”?
| Root Verb | churn up |
| Third Person Singular Present | churns up |
| Present Participle | churning up |
| Simple Past | churned up |
| Past Participle | churned up |
Example
The strong winds churned up the ocean waves.
Example
The construction work churns up a lot of dust.
Example
The boat's propeller is churning up the water.
Example
The storm churned up the muddy ground.
Example
The memories of the past were churned up by the old photographs.
What kind of phrasal verb is “churn 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
“churn 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
The storm churned up the river.
Example
The news churned up old feelings of anger.
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
“churn 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 storm churned up the river.
Example
The news churned up old feelings of anger.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “churn up”?
Churn up water/soil
To stir up or agitate water or soil, causing it to become muddy or murky.
Example
The tractor churned up the soil as it plowed the field.
Good things to know
Does “churn up” have an informal or formal tone?
Churn 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 writing or presentations.
