What Does “Be taken up with sb” Mean?
“Be taken up with sb” means to be very interested in or absorbed by someone, often to the point of focusing most of your attention on them.
Introduction
The phrase “Be taken up with sb” is a common English phrasal verb used to describe a situation where a person’s thoughts or time are mostly devoted to someone else. When you are taken up with someone, it means you are very involved or preoccupied with them, whether emotionally or mentally. Understanding the “Be taken up with sb meaning” helps learners express feelings of attachment or fascination clearly. This phrase often appears in conversations about relationships, friendships, or situations where one person dominates another’s attention.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Be taken up with somebody
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To be very interested in or focused on someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Be taken up with sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate “taken up” from “with sb.”
Pattern: Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + taken up + with + somebody
- Correct: She is taken up with her new boyfriend.
- Incorrect: She is taken with up her new boyfriend.
How to Use Be taken up with sb?
This phrase is used when you want to say someone is mentally or emotionally absorbed by another person. It can describe feelings of love, fascination, or deep interest. Use it to talk about situations where someone’s attention is mostly focused on a person, often affecting their other activities or thoughts.
Examples
Here are some examples showing “Be taken up with sb in a sentence”:
- He has been so taken up with his new girlfriend that he hardly calls his friends anymore.
- During the holidays, she was completely taken up with her children and didn’t notice much else.
- They were so taken up with each other that they lost track of time.
- After meeting him, she was taken up with his ideas and couldn’t stop thinking about them.
- Don’t be taken up with one person so much that you forget your own goals.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the word order or mix this phrase with similar expressions. Here are some common mistakes:
- Incorrect: She is taken with up him.
- Correct: She is taken up with him.
- Incorrect: He is taking up with her.
- Correct: He is taken up with her.
Remember, “taken up” always stays together and is followed by “with” plus the person.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “be absorbed by,” “be obsessed with,” and “be involved with.” However, “be taken up with sb” often implies a strong but usually positive interest rather than obsession.
- Be absorbed by: More neutral, can be about anything, not only people.
- Be obsessed with: Usually negative, implies unhealthy or excessive focus.
- Be involved with: Can mean a relationship but less emphasis on mental absorption.
Common Collocations
It’s useful to know which words commonly appear with this phrasal verb. Here are some common collocations:
- Be taken up with a new partner: Focused on a romantic relationship.
- Be taken up with work: Occasionally used metaphorically for things, but less common.
- Be taken up with family: Paying most attention to family members.
- Be taken up with ideas: Mentally absorbed in thoughts or concepts.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of be taken up with sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using the phrase naturally:
Anna: Have you seen Mark lately? He seems different.
John: Yeah, he’s really taken up with his new girlfriend. He barely has time for anything else.
Anna: That explains why he’s been so busy and distracted.
Practice
Try to fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrase:
- She is so __________ with her studies that she doesn’t go out much.
- They were __________ each other and didn’t hear the phone ring.
- Don’t be __________ with one person to the point you forget your own needs.
FAQ
- Q: Can “be taken up with sb” be used in formal writing?
A: It’s more common in spoken or informal English but can be used in formal writing when appropriate. - Q: Is “be taken up with” always about people?
A: Usually yes, but sometimes it can refer to being absorbed by activities or ideas. - Q: What is the difference between “be taken up with sb” and “be interested in sb”?
A: “Be taken up with sb” implies deeper involvement or absorption than just interest. - Q: Can I say “He is taking up with her”?
A: No, that is incorrect. The correct form is “He is taken up with her.”
