What Does “Put sb above sth” Mean?
“Put sb above sth” means to consider someone more important than something else. It shows prioritizing a person over an object, idea, or activity.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “put sb above sth” is commonly used in English to express placing a person’s needs, feelings, or importance ahead of something else. Understanding the put sb above sth meaning helps learners communicate priorities clearly. For example, you might say you put family above work, meaning family matters more to you. This phrase is useful in both personal and professional contexts and helps explain what or who you value most.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: put somebody above something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To consider someone more important than something else
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Put sb above sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate “put” and “above” with the object.
Structure pattern:
- Put + somebody (sb) + above + something (sth)
- Example: She puts her children above her career.
How to Use Put sb above sth?
Use this phrase when you want to express that a person is more important to you than an object, idea, or action. It often appears in conversations about values, priorities, or decisions.
You can use it in past, present, and future tenses by changing the verb “put”. For example:
- I always put honesty above money.
- He put his friends above his own interests.
- We will put our health above everything else.
Examples
People often use “put sb above sth” to talk about what matters most in life.
- She puts her family above her job because they are her top priority.
- Many people put their values above material possessions.
- He put his mentor above all other influences in his career.
- In the company, they put customer satisfaction above profits.
- We should put our health above unnecessary risks.
Here is how to use put sb above sth in a sentence: “I always put my children above my hobbies.”
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the order or try to separate the phrase incorrectly.
- Incorrect: She puts above her family work.
- Correct: She puts her family above work.
- Incorrect: Put above your friends your career.
- Correct: Put your friends above your career.
Remember, the person (sb) always comes immediately after “put,” and “above” always precedes the thing (sth).
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “put sb before sth” and “prioritize sb over sth.”
- Put sb before sth: Almost the same meaning, but slightly more formal.
- Prioritize sb over sth: More formal and often used in professional contexts.
The main difference is that “put sb above sth” is common in everyday speech, while “prioritize” is used in writing or formal speech.
Common Collocations
People often use “put sb above sth” with family, friends, values, work, money, and health.
- Put family above work – value family more than job
- Put friends above money – value friendships more than wealth
- Put honesty above success – value truth more than achievements
- Put health above pleasure – value well-being more than enjoyment
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of put sb above sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation showing how to use this phrase naturally.
Anna: I don’t understand why you left the party early.
John: I had to. I always put my family above social events.
Anna: That’s very thoughtful of you.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence with the correct phrase.
Choose the correct option:
- I always ______ my friends ______ money.
- a) put / above
- b) put / before
- c) put / under
- d) put / below
Answer: a) put / above
FAQ
- Q: Can “put sb above sth” be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, but it is more common in spoken English. For formal writing, “prioritize sb over sth” is better. - Q: Is “put sb above sth” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable. You cannot separate “put” and “above.” - Q: Can I use this phrase to talk about ideas?
A: Yes, you can put people above ideas, values, or things. - Q: What is the difference between “put sb above sth” and “put sb before sth”?
A: They mean almost the same, but “put sb before sth” sounds a bit more formal. - Q: Can “put sb above sth” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “He put his family above work last year.”
