"up to"

Question

Could you tell me the usage of "be up to"?

Are the sentences below using "be up to" correct??

1) I'm up bo driving.
Does this mean "I'm going to drive." or "I'm going to do driving"?

2) I'm up to a party.
Does this mean "I'm going to have a party"?

Thank you!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

You have some confusion, I think. There are two idioms:

I'm up to driving = I am capable of driving.
I'm up for a party = I am ready and eager for a party

CalifJim · Answer

H Musage of "be up to"

Your examples are off target.

1. Usually used in non-assertive contexts. to be doing (something); to be about to do (something); to be doing or about to do something underhanded; to be scheming

I wonder what Jake is up to now.
I overheard some of what Laura was telling Brian. I think think those two are up to no good.

2. to have advanced (to a certain stage or point, frequently in reading or studying)

I'm trying to finish this book by Saturday, and I'm only up to page 43.

CJ

H M · Answer

Thank you for your explanation! :-)

I'd like to ask another question...
I'd like to know if "doing" form can come after "up to" when "up to" has the same meaning of "up to" in the sentence of "What have you been up to?"
I mean, if the sentence "What have you been up to?" is turned into the affirmative sentence, it should be "You have been up to what.", right?
So, I'm wondering what forms can come in the place of "what".
Is it ok for "doing form" like studying, eating, watching to come there??
Or only nouns can come?
Or...""up to" in the sentence of "What have you been up to?" is like a fixed expression and can't take out of and use it in an affirmative sentence??

Thank you very much!

Mister Micawber · Answer

My remarks here are directed at the meaning I was earlier addressing, not the alternative meanings that CJ has brought up. I'd call it pretty well fixed, but the answer usually takes the '-ing' form. This is about the extent of its use, in my experience:

A: What have you been up to?
B: I've been studying English a lot lately

A: Have you been up to anything much recently?
B: No, I haven't been up to much. Just studying for my exams.

What I mean is that A would not ask, and B would not answer, using the '-ing' form along with 'up to'. It would appear as a separate utterance.

CalifJim · Answer

H MI mean, if the sentence "What have you been up to?" is turned into the affirmative sentence, it should be "You have been up to what.", right?

It's as Mr. M. has described. You wouldn't say I've been up to studying, for example, but just I've been studying.

The idiom sounds wrong in assertions. Use negations. There are only a limited number of ways of completing the idiom: I haven't been up to [anything / much / very much / anything interesting] lately. Or use questions. What have you been up to [lately / these days]? Have you been up to anything interesting lately?

CJ

H M · Answer

Thank you very much for your clear explanation!

I feel like I got it! :-)

H M · Answer

Thank you very much for your further explanation!

I appreciate your help! :-)

"up to"

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