Understanding the Phrasal Verb: How to Use 'Build Up' Correctly in English

Welcome, English learners! Are you ready to enhance your vocabulary with a versatile phrasal verb? Today, we're diving deep into build up. Understanding how to build up your knowledge of phrasal verbs is crucial for fluency, as they are incredibly common in everyday English. This phrasal verb can mean to increase gradually, to accumulate, or even to praise someone excessively. In this post, you'll learn the various meanings of build up, see its grammatical structures, discover related synonyms, and test your understanding with practice questions. Let's get started!

Table of Contents

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

What Does 'Build Up' Mean?

Phrasal verbs are a fascinating and essential part of the English language, combining a verb with a preposition or adverb (or both) to create a new meaning, often idiomatic. The phrasal verb build up is a prime example of this, a versatile expression you'll encounter frequently in both spoken and written English. Generally, build up refers to the idea of gradual accumulation, increase, or development over time. It can suggest something growing, becoming stronger, or even being created. Understanding its various nuances will significantly build up your comprehension and help you use English more naturally and effectively. This expression is key to sounding more like a native speaker.

More: Build on: Mastering the Phrasal Verb for English Fluency

Structure with 'Build Up'

To truly grasp how to use build up, it's essential to understand its different meanings and the grammatical structures associated with them. This phrasal verb can be separable or inseparable depending on the context and meaning. Let's explore its common applications. The ability to effectively build up sentences using this phrasal verb will mark a significant improvement in your English skills.

Meaning 1: To Accumulate or Increase Gradually (Often Intransitive or Transitive & Separable)

This is perhaps the most common meaning of build up. It signifies something growing in quantity, size, or intensity over a period, often without conscious effort for the accumulation itself. Think of traffic jams, snow, or even emotions. When something builds up, it often implies that it reaches a significant level.

• Structure 1 (Intransitive): Subject + build up.

  • Usage Note: Here, the subject itself is what is accumulating or increasing.
  • Example 1: Tension built up in the room as they waited for the announcement, making everyone feel uneasy.
  • Example 2: The snow built up quickly overnight, covering all the cars and making roads impassable.

• Structure 2 (Transitive & Separable): Subject + build + Object + up OR Subject + build up + Object.

  • Usage Note: Here, the subject is causing the object to accumulate or increase. This structure allows for separation, especially if the object is a pronoun (e.g., "build it up").
  • Example 1: He needs to build up his savings if he wants to buy a house. (Or: He needs to build his savings up.)
  • Example 2: Over the years, she managed to build up an impressive collection of antique books.

Meaning 2: To Strengthen or Develop (Transitive & Separable)

This meaning is closely related to the first but usually implies a conscious effort to make something stronger, more robust, or more developed. It’s about fostering growth, improving a condition, or enhancing a quality. This can apply to physical attributes, skills, or abstract concepts like confidence or a business. Learning to build up these qualities is often a goal in many areas of life.

• Structure: Subject + build + Object + up OR Subject + build up + Object.
  • Usage Note: This is often used in contexts of personal development, business growth, or physical training. Remember, if the object is a pronoun, it usually goes between "build" and "up" (e.g., "build it up").
  • Example 1: The coach worked hard to build up the team's confidence before the final match, using motivational speeches and practice drills. (Or: The coach worked hard to build the team's confidence up.)
  • Example 2: She exercises regularly to build up her muscles and improve her overall fitness.

Meaning 3: To Praise or Promote Someone/Something Excessively (Transitive & Separable)

Here, build up means to talk about someone or something in a very positive and often exaggerated way, typically to create high expectations, enhance their reputation, or generate excitement. This can sometimes lead to disappointment if the reality doesn't match the hype. This use of build up is common in marketing, media, and personal recommendations.

• Structure: Subject + build + Object + up OR Subject + build up + Object.
  • Usage Note: Be aware that this can have a slightly negative connotation if the praise is seen as insincere or overblown.
  • Example 1: The media built the new movie up so much with rave reviews that many people found it underwhelming when they finally saw it. (Or: The media built up the new movie so much...)
  • Example 2: His agent tried to build him up as the next big music sensation, highlighting his unique talent.

Meaning 4: To Construct or Create Something Large or Complex Over Time (Often Transitive & Separable)

This usage refers to the process of creating something substantial, often in stages or by adding parts incrementally. It can apply to physical structures like buildings or neighborhoods, or more abstract concepts like a reputation, a business, or a case (in an argument). The focus is on the gradual creation or establishment of something significant. Many successful ventures build up their foundations slowly.

• Structure: Subject + build + Object + up OR Subject + build up + Object.
  • Usage Note: This implies a more deliberate and often lengthy process of creation than just a simple increase.
  • Example 1: The company plans to build up a new residential area on the outskirts of the city, complete with parks and schools.
  • Example 2: It takes years of consistent effort and integrity to build up a good reputation in any professional field.

Meaning 5: To Fill or Block Something (Transitive & Separable, often with 'with')

This meaning refers to an accumulation that causes a blockage or fills a space, often undesirably. This is frequently used in contexts related to pipes, arteries, or any channel that can become obstructed by material accumulating over time. The phrase build up of [something] is also common here (e.g., "a build-up of plaque").

• Structure: Subject + build + Object + up (with something) OR Subject + build up + Object (with something).
  • Usage Note: The particle 'up' often emphasizes the completeness of the filling or blockage.
  • Example 1: If not cleaned regularly, dirt and grease can build up in the kitchen pipes, leading to clogs.
  • Example 2: Doctors warn that certain foods can cause arteries to build up with plaque, increasing the risk of heart disease.

More: Bring Together: Understanding Meanings and Usage

Related Phrases and Synonyms

Understanding synonyms for build up can enrich your vocabulary and help you express nuances more precisely. Here are some alternatives related to its main meanings:

More: Mastering 'Bring Out': Meanings and Usage Guide

Practice Time!

Let's see how well you've understood the phrasal verb build up. Choose the best option for each question.

Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses "build up" to mean 'accumulate'? a) The company decided to build up their marketing team with new talent.

b) Dust had started to build up on the unused furniture.

c) The speaker tried to build up the audience's excitement before the main announcement.

d) She needs to build up her stamina for the marathon.

Correct answer: b

Question 2: "The media often ______ celebrities before a major event." Which completion best fits the meaning 'to praise or promote excessively'? a) build up

b) builds them up

c) build them up

d) all of the above

Correct answer: d

Question 3: In the sentence, "The resentment between the two colleagues began to ______ over small misunderstandings," which form of "build up" is most appropriate? a) build up

b) built up

c) building up

d) build it up

Correct answer: a

Question 4: "They are working to ______ a reserve of emergency supplies." Select the best option to complete the sentence. a) build up

b) build off

c) build in

d) build over

Correct answer: a

Conclusion

Learning and understanding the phrasal verb build up is a valuable step in your English language journey. As you've seen, its various meanings—from accumulating and strengthening to praising—make it a versatile tool in communication. By recognizing its different structures and practicing its usage, you can significantly build up your fluency and confidence. Keep practicing, and you'll find yourself using "build up" naturally in no time!