Phrasal verbs 6 - up/down

Phrasal verbs with the particles up and down are combinations of a verb + particle where the particle changes the meaning. In business English these verbs are extremely common and often idiomatic. 'Up' often suggests completion, increase, or improvement. 'Down' often suggests reduction, stopping, or failure. Pay attention to whether the phrasal verb is separable (the object can come between verb and particle) or inseparable.

• 'Up' can imply completion, increase, or improvement (e.g., set up, scale up).
• 'Down' can imply reduction, stopping, or breaking (e.g., cut down, break down).
• Some phrasal verbs are separable: object can go between verb and particle (e.g., 'back up the files' / 'back the files up').
• Other phrasal verbs are inseparable: object must come after the particle (e.g., 'look after').

The position of the object with phrasal verbs depends on separability and the object type.

• Separable transitive phrasal verbs: object can go between verb and particle or after the particle. Example: 'back up the files' / 'back the files up'.
• With pronoun objects, place the pronoun between verb and particle: 'back them up' (NOT 'back up them').
• Inseparable phrasal verbs: the object must come after the particle. Example: 'look after the client.'
• Pay attention to meaning changes: adding 'up' or 'down' can change the verb's sense entirely.

When in doubt, check a dictionary to see if the phrasal verb is separable.

Learners often make predictable errors with these phrasal verbs. Watch out for:

• Confusing the literal meaning of the verb with the idiomatic phrasal verb.
• Incorrect word order: placing pronouns after the particle (wrong: 'back up them').
• Using the particle as a separate word incorrectly (e.g., writing 'backup' when the verb is required).
• Not recognizing meaning changes when switching particles (e.g., 'break' vs 'break down').
• Wrong tense or verb form for the phrasal verb.

Practice common combinations and check a reliable dictionary when unsure.