Learn Phrasal Verbs – Back Up

Introduction

Welcome to NJCLT's free English lesson on the phrasal verb 'back up'! In this lesson, we will provide a comprehensive understanding of this versatile phrasal verb, including its meaning, usage, and real-life examples. By the end of this lesson, you will have a firm grasp on how to effectively use 'back up' in your English conversations.

What Does 'Back Up' Mean?

'Back up' is a commonly used phrasal verb in English, with various meanings depending on the context. One of the primary meanings of 'back up' is to provide support or assistance. It can also refer to reversing, supporting evidence, or creating a duplicate copy of data.

Usage and Examples

Let's explore the different ways 'back up' can be used:

1. Providing Support or Assistance

When used in the context of providing support or assistance, 'back up' is often used to express the idea of supporting someone, especially in a difficult situation. For example:

• Emily always backs up her friends during challenging times.
• The team backed up their captain by giving their best performance.

2. Reversing

'Back up' can also mean to reverse, especially when referring to a vehicle. For instance:

• Don't forget to back up before turning out of the parking spot.
• The truck slowly backed up to the loading dock to unload the goods.

3. Supporting Evidence

In the context of supporting evidence, 'back up' is used to indicate the provision of additional proof or verification. Consider the following examples:

• The lawyer backed up her claims with compelling evidence.
• His research findings are backed up by multiple reliable sources.

4. Creating a Duplicate Copy

'Back up' can also refer to the act of creating a duplicate copy of data to ensure its safety or to transfer it to another device. For example:

• Make sure to back up your important files regularly to prevent data loss.
• I backed up all my photos on an external hard drive for extra security.

Exercises

Now that you have a solid understanding of 'back up', let's reinforce your knowledge with some exercises. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of 'back up' to complete the sentences:

1. It's crucial to always ____ your claims with supporting evidence.
2. Please ____ before attempting to park the car.
3. He offered to ____ his friend who was going through a difficult time.
4. Remember to ____ your computer files regularly to prevent data loss.
5. The detective was able to ____ his suspicion with concrete facts.

Take your time and carefully consider the correct form of 'back up' for each sentence. Once you've completed the exercises, check your answers to evaluate your understanding of the phrasal verb.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned about the phrasal verb 'back up' through NJCLT's comprehensive free English lesson. Remember to continue practicing and incorporating 'back up' into your conversations to enhance your English language skills. Stay tuned for more informative lessons from NJCLT to further expand your vocabulary and language proficiency!