What Does “Reckon sth up” Mean?
“Reckon sth up” means to calculate or add up the total of something, especially numbers or amounts.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “reckon sth up” is commonly used when talking about adding numbers or figuring out a total amount. It often appears in everyday English, especially in informal contexts like shopping, budgeting, or accounting. Understanding the reckon sth up meaning can help you use it naturally when discussing calculations or estimates. This phrase is useful for learners who want to sound more fluent and natural when talking about numbers or totals.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Reckon something up
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To calculate or add up a total
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Reckon sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object can come between “reckon” and “up” or after “up.”
- Reckon + object + up (e.g., reckon the bills up)
- Reckon up + object (e.g., reckon up the bills)
Both forms are correct and commonly used.
How to Use Reckon sth up?
You use “reckon sth up” when you want to say that you add numbers or calculate a total. It often refers to money, scores, or quantities.
For example, when you add prices in a shop or calculate expenses, you can say, “Let me reckon up the total.”
It is casual and commonly used in spoken English.
Examples
Imagine you are at a restaurant and want to find out the total bill.
- Can you reckon up the bill, please?
- She reckoned up the cost of the groceries before paying.
- We need to reckon up all the expenses for the trip.
- He reckoned up the points to see who won the game.
- Before buying, I reckoned up how much I could spend.
These examples show how to use “reckon sth up in a sentence” naturally.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the word order or forget to include the object.
- Incorrect: I reckon up.
- Correct: I reckon up the total.
- Incorrect: Reckon the up bill.
- Correct: Reckon the bill up.
Always remember the object (something) must be included with “reckon up.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “add up” and “work out.”
- Add up: Usually means to total numbers, similar to “reckon up.”
- Work out: Can mean calculate but also solve a problem, so it is broader.
“Reckon up” is more informal and often used in British English, while “add up” is more universal.
Common Collocations
People often use “reckon sth up” with money, bills, costs, expenses, points, or scores.
- Reckon up the bill – calculate total money owed
- Reckon up expenses – sum of costs
- Reckon up points – add scores
- Reckon up the cost – estimate money needed
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of reckon sth up:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “reckon sth up”:
Anna: Can you reckon up the total cost of our dinner?
Ben: Sure, let me add the bills up quickly.
Anna: Thanks! I want to know how much I owe.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form:
Before paying, she decided to _______ the groceries _______ to see the total.
- a) reckon up
- b) reckon the up
- c) reckon up the
- d) reckon the groceries up
Correct answer: d) reckon the groceries up
FAQ
- Q: Is “reckon sth up” formal or informal?
A: It is informal and common in everyday speech.
- Q: Can I use “reckon up” without an object?
A: No, you must include the object you are calculating.
- Q: Is “reckon sth up” the same as “add up”?
A: They are similar, but “reckon sth up” is more informal and mostly British English.
- Q: Can “reckon sth up” be used for non-numerical things?
A: Usually, it refers to numbers or amounts, not abstract ideas.
- Q: What level of English is “reckon sth up”?
A: It is generally suitable for B1 (intermediate) learners.
