What Does “Bring sth up” Mean?
“Bring sth up” is a phrasal verb that means to mention or start talking about a topic, especially in conversation.
Introduction
The phrase “bring sth up” is commonly used in everyday English to indicate the action of introducing a subject or idea during a conversation. Understanding the “bring sth up meaning” helps learners speak more naturally and confidently. It is especially useful when you want to talk about something that might be important, sensitive, or previously unmentioned. This phrasal verb is often used in both formal and informal situations, making it a versatile expression. Whether you are discussing work, family, or personal topics, knowing how to use “bring sth up” correctly can make your communication smoother and clearer.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: bring something up
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to mention a subject or start talking about something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Bring sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object either between “bring” and “up” or after “up.”
- bring something up
- bring up something
Examples:
- I want to bring the issue up in the meeting.
- She brought up the problem during our conversation.
How to Use “Bring sth up”?
You use “bring sth up” when you want to introduce a topic or start talking about something that was not previously mentioned. This can happen in casual talks, formal discussions, or even written communication. It often implies raising a topic that might be important or sensitive.
For example, if you want to talk about a problem at work, you might say, “I need to bring up an issue with the project.” It signals that you are starting a discussion about that topic.
Examples
- He brought up his concerns about the budget during the meeting.
- Don’t bring up politics at the dinner table; it always causes arguments.
- She brought up the idea of going on a team trip next month.
- Can I bring something up? I think we need to reconsider our plan.
- They brought up the topic of climate change in class today.
These examples show how “bring sth up” is used naturally in sentences.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I bring up about the problem.
Correct: I bring up the problem. - Incorrect: She brought up on the topic.
Correct: She brought up the topic. - Incorrect: Can you bring up?
Correct: Can you bring something up?
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “mention,” “raise,” and “talk about.” However, “bring sth up” often suggests introducing a topic for discussion, sometimes unexpectedly or for the first time.
- Mention: To briefly refer to something without detail. Example: She mentioned the meeting.
- Raise: To formally bring attention to an issue. Example: He raised a concern about safety.
- Talk about: To discuss a subject. Example: We talked about the new project.
Compared to these, “bring sth up” focuses on starting or introducing the topic.
Common Collocations
- bring up a topic
- bring up a question
- bring up an issue
- bring up a problem
- bring up a suggestion
- bring up concerns
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of bring sth up:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I wanted to bring something up about our project deadline.
Mark: Sure, what is it?
Anna: I think we need more time to finish the report.
Mark: That’s a good point. Let’s talk to the manager.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) She brought up about the new policy in the meeting.
- B) She brought up the new policy in the meeting.
- C) She bring up the new policy in the meeting.
Answer: B
FAQs
- Q: Can “bring sth up” be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Is “bring sth up” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “bring” and “up” or after “up.” - Q: What is the difference between “bring up” and “mention”?
A: “Bring up” means to start talking about something, while “mention” means to refer briefly. - Q: Can I say “bring up on the topic”?
A: No, the correct form is “bring up the topic.”
