0
Silena Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

Clean-clean up, write-write up etc.

Hello! Can someone explain to me why we add the presposition up to some verbs. For example is the meaning different whe we say clean up instead of clean, or finish up, write up...etc? Is there a general rule?

Cheers!
  

Top answer

No general rule, sorry. The meanings of your examples aren't really different except in some contexts. " means that I won a lot of money.

— Vorpar

  • No general rule, sorry.
  • The meanings of your examples aren't really different except in some contexts.
  • " means that I won a lot of money.
  • " mean the same thing.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
No general rule, sorry. The meanings of your examples aren't really different except in some contexts.

"I cleaned up at the casino." means that I won a lot of money.

"Please clean your room." and "please clean up your room." mean the same thing.
0
0
Hi.

As Vorpar said, depending on the verb, the addition of perposition, up might change the meaning.

I can think of two other verbs with difference in meanings;

1. Use up: use completely

2. Meet up: meet and do sth together or meet and go somewhere together

I hope it helps
0

Related Questions