What Does “Put sth by” Mean?
“Put sth by” means to save money or something for future use. It often refers to setting aside money regularly.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “put sth by” is commonly used in everyday English to talk about saving money or items for later. Whether you want to save some cash for a holiday or keep something safe for future use, “put sth by” is the perfect phrase. Understanding the “put sth by meaning” helps learners express the idea of saving or reserving something in a simple, natural way. This phrase is useful in both casual and formal conversations, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: put something by
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to save money or something for future use
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Put sth by” is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object can come between “put” and “by” or after “by.”
- Put + object + by
- Example: She puts money by every month.
- Put by + object
- Example: He puts by some cash for emergencies.
Both forms are correct and commonly used.
How to Use Put sth by?
Use “put sth by” when you want to talk about saving money or things regularly. It implies careful planning and future benefit. You can use it with money, time, effort, or even objects.
Example contexts include saving for a trip, setting aside money for bills, or keeping something safe for later use.
Examples
Here are some sentences using “put sth by” in natural contexts:
- She puts a little money by every week to buy a new laptop.
- They put some cash by in case of emergencies.
- It’s wise to put something by for your retirement early.
- He puts money by by skipping his daily coffee shop visits.
- We try to put by a small amount each month to save up for holiday gifts.
Put sth by in a sentence helps you express saving or reserving something effectively.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “put sth by” with similar phrases. Here are some common errors:
- Incorrect: I put by money every day.
Correct: I put money by every day. - Incorrect: She puts by on money for the trip.
Correct: She puts money by for the trip.
Remember, the object usually comes right after “put.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Put sth by” is similar to “save up” and “set aside,” but they differ slightly.
- Save up: Focuses mainly on money and saving over time.
Example: I’m saving up for a new car. - Set aside: Can refer to money or other things, emphasizing reserving something.
Example: She set aside some time for studying. - Put sth by: Usually about money but can be used for other things saved for future use.
Example: He puts money by each month.
Common Collocations
Here are common objects used with “put sth by” and their meanings:
- Money: To save cash for future needs.
- Cash: Refers to physical money saved.
- Some amount: Any quantity saved regularly.
- Time: Occasionally used when setting aside time for something.
These collocations show how flexible the phrase is in daily conversations.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of put sth by:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “put sth by”:
Anna: Do you put any money by each month?
Ben: Yes, I put some by for emergencies and holidays.
Anna: That’s smart. I should start doing that too.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences below using “put by”:
- She ________ some money ________ every week for her vacation.
- It’s important to ________ a little cash ________ for unexpected costs.
- We should ________ time ________ to rest during busy days.
FAQ
- What does “put sth by” mean?
It means to save money or something for future use.
- Is “put sth by” formal or informal?
It is neutral and used in both informal and formal contexts.
- Can I use “put sth by” for things other than money?
Yes, you can use it for saving time or objects as well.
- Is “put sth by” separable?
Yes, you can place the object between “put” and “by” or after “by.”
- What are synonyms of “put sth by”?
Synonyms include “save up” and “set aside.”
