Understanding the English Phrasal Verb 'Feel Up To': Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Welcome, English learners! Today, we're diving into a common and useful English expression: the phrasal verb 'feel up to'. If you've ever wondered what it means when someone says they don't 'feel up to' going out, or if you want to confidently use this phrase yourself, you're in the right place. Understanding English phrasal verbs like this one is key to sounding more natural and fluent in English. This article will explain the meaning of 'feel up to', show you how to structure sentences with it, explore related synonyms, and give you a chance to practice your new knowledge.

Table of Contents

• What Does 'Feel Up To' Mean?
• Structure with 'Feel Up To'
• Related Phrases and Synonyms
• Practice Time!
• Conclusion

What Does 'Feel Up To' Mean?

The phrasal verb 'feel up to' is a frequently used expression in English that primarily conveys whether someone has the necessary energy, physical or mental strength, or inclination to engage in a particular activity or face a situation. It's often employed when discussing one's health, mood, general willingness, or capacity. When you 'feel up to' something, it means you feel capable, energetic, and well enough to do it. Conversely, if you don't'feel up to' something, it implies a lack of energy, enthusiasm, or physical/mental well-being for that task or event.

Think of the 'up to' part as signifying a certain level or standard that needs to be met. If you're 'up to' the challenge, you feel you can meet that standard. This phrase is particularly common in informal conversations. For instance, after a long day at work, you might say, "I don't feel up to cooking a big meal tonight." This indicates you're too tired or lack the motivation for that specific activity. It's a polite way to decline an invitation or explain why you can't do something, often implying it's due to how you're feeling rather than a simple lack of desire, though the two can be related.

Understanding when and how to use 'feel up to' can significantly improve your conversational English, making your expressions of ability and willingness sound more natural to native speakers. It’s a versatile phrase that covers physical, mental, and emotional readiness.

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Structure with 'Feel Up To'

To effectively use the phrasal verb 'feel up to', it's important to understand its typical sentence structure. The good news is that it's quite consistent! This phrasal verb is transitive, meaning it always needs an object – the 'something' that a person does or does not feel capable of doing. This object is usually a gerund (an '-ing' verb form acting as a noun) or a noun phrase.

Let's break down the common structures:

Meaning 1: Having the energy, health, or inclination for an activity or task.

This is the most common usage of 'feel up to'.

Structure 1.1: Subject + (auxiliary verb + not) + feel up to + verb-ing (gerund)

• This structure is used when the 'something' is an action.

Positive Examples:

• "After a good night's sleep, I finally feel up to finishing that report."
• "She said she feels up to going for a short walk this afternoon."

Negative Examples:

• "I'm sorry, but I don't feel up to attending the meeting today; I'm a bit under the weather."
• "He didn't feel up to playing football after his knee injury."

Question Examples:

• "Do you feel up to joining us for dinner later?"
• "Does Mark feel up to traveling so soon after his surgery?"

Structure 1.2: Subject + (auxiliary verb + not) + feel up to + noun / noun phrase

• This structure is used when the 'something' is a thing, an event, or a general concept.

Positive Examples:

• "Now that I've recovered, I feel up to the challenge."
• "We feel up to a little adventure this weekend."

Negative Examples:

• "To be honest, I don't feel up to a big party right now."
• "They didn't feel up to the long journey by car."

Question Examples:

• "Do you feel up to the task ahead?"
• "Will you feel up to visitors tomorrow?"

Nuance: Feeling capable or confident enough for a more demanding situation.

While closely related to the first meaning, this nuance can sometimes emphasize the mental or emotional capacity to handle something that might be perceived as challenging or daunting. The structure remains the same, but the context often implies a greater hurdle.

Structure 2.1: Subject + (auxiliary verb + not) + feel up to + verb-ing (gerund)

Examples:

• "She didn't feel up to confronting her boss about the issue directly."
• "After much preparation, he felt he was up to delivering the keynote speech."

Structure 2.2: Subject + (auxiliary verb + not) + feel up to + noun / noun phrase (representing a challenge)

Examples:

• "Are you sure you feel up to this responsibility? It's a lot of work."
• "He confessed he didn't feel up to the pressure of the competition."

Key Points to Remember:

• The 'to' in 'feel up to' is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. This is why it's followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun, never by the base form of a verb. For example, it's correct to say "I don't feel up togoing," not "I don't feel up togo."
• This phrasal verb is often used in negative statements (e.g., "I don't feel up to it") or in questions (e.g., "Do you feel up to it?").
• It can be used in various tenses, such as present simple ("I don't feel up to it"), past simple ("I didn't feel up to it"), or future forms ("I might not feel up to it tomorrow").

By practicing these structures, you'll become more comfortable using 'feel up to' accurately in your daily English conversations.

Related Phrases and Synonyms

While 'feel up to' is a fantastic and common phrasal verb, English is rich with other expressions that convey similar meanings. Knowing these synonyms and related phrases can help you vary your language and understand different nuances. Here are a few alternatives, along with explanations and examples:

Understanding these alternatives will not only expand your vocabulary but also help you grasp the subtle differences in how people express their willingness, energy levels, and desires in English. While some are very close in meaning to 'feel up to', others, like 'feel like', might focus more on desire than capacity, or 'be game' might imply more enthusiasm.

Practice Time!

Now it's time to check your understanding of the phrasal verb 'feel up to'! Choose the best option for each question.

Question 1: Which sentence uses "feel up to" correctly?

a) I don't feel up to go to the gym today.

b) I don't feel up to going to the gym today.

c) I don't feel up go to the gym today.

d) I don't feel to up going to the gym today.

Correct answer: b

Question 2: What does it mean if someone says, "I don't feel up to the party"?

a) They are excited about the party.

b) They don't have the energy or inclination for the party.

c) They will definitely attend the party.

d) They want the party to be better.

Correct answer: b

Question 3: Complete the sentence: "After her illness, she didn't ______ much activity."

a) feel up to

b) feel up

c) feel to

d) up to feel

Correct answer: a

Question 4: "Do you ______ joining us for a hike this weekend? It's quite challenging."

a) feel up to

b) feel to up

c) feel up

d) feeling up to

Correct answer: a

How did you do? Reviewing the explanations and examples can help if any questions were tricky. Consistent practice is key to mastering English phrasal verbs!

Conclusion

Learning and understanding the phrasal verb 'feel up to' is a valuable step in enhancing your English fluency. As we've explored, this common expression is key for communicating your energy levels, willingness, or capacity to engage in activities or face situations. By grasping its meaning, various sentence structures, and how it differs from similar phrases, you can use 'feel up to' more accurately and confidently.

Remember, the journey of learning English phrasal verbs is ongoing. Don't be discouraged; consistent exposure and active practice are your best tools. Keep using 'feel up to' in your conversations and writing, and you'll find it becoming a natural part of your English vocabulary.