Part 2 of 2 · Same verb · different particle

“bring” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. “bring” has 9 of them, so they come in 2 parts. Learn these 4 one at a time, then test yourself.

9 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

bring

out over

up up against

bring + out · 1 of 4

bring out

release a product

bring out sth

to produce something new and make it available for people to buy or use.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Apple is planning to bring out a new smartphone next month.

A: Did you hear that the bakery is bringing out a new type of cake?
B: Really? I can't wait to try it!

Common mistake

Not: Apple brought out ~~with~~ a new phone.

Say: Apple brought out a new phone.

'Bring out' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

More on “bring out”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I owned a business, I would try to bring out innovative products every year to attract more customers.

Tell it apart

They've brought out a new phone.

launched it for sale

They've brought back an old model.

reintroduced it

Goes with

bring out + product

Practice saying this

Next: bring over

bring + over · 2 of 4

bring over

to take someone or something with you when you go to visit someone

bring over sth

to take a person or thing with you when you go to see someone, usually at their home or another place.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Can you bring over your laptop when you come tonight?

A: Are you coming to the barbecue later?
B: Yeah, and I'll bring over some drinks.

Common mistake

Not: I'll bring over it tomorrow.

Say: I'll bring it over tomorrow.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'bring it over'.

More on “bring over”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I visit a friend’s house, I usually bring over a small gift or some snacks to share.

Tell it apart

Bring it over.

carry it here, to where I am

Take it over.

carry it there, away from me

Goes with

bring + over

Practice saying this

Next: bring up

bring + up · 3 of 4

bring up

mention a topic

bring up sth

to start talking about a subject, especially in a conversation or meeting.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She brought up the idea of working from home during the meeting.

A: Did you talk to your boss about your schedule?
B: Not yet. I’m planning to bring it up tomorrow.

Common mistake

Not: Sorry to bring up ~~this~~ again.

Say: Sorry to bring this up again.

With 'this/it', the object goes in the middle: 'bring it up'.

More on “bring up”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I have a problem with a classmate, I usually bring it up directly so we can solve it together.

Tell it apart

She brought up the budget at the meeting.

mentioned the topic

She brought up three kids on her own.

raised children

Goes with

bring up + topic

Practice saying this

Next: bring up against

bring + up against · 4 of 4

bring up against

to suddenly face someone with a problem or difficulty

bring sb up against sth

to make someone suddenly have to deal with a problem or obstacle they did not expect

How oftenRare

LevelB2

Used inMostly written

Examples

The new manager was brought up against several unexpected challenges on her first day.

A: How did the project go?
B: Honestly, we were brought up against a lot of technical issues we didn't see coming.

Common mistake

Not: I brought up against a serious problem.

Say: I came up against a serious problem. / It brought me up against a serious problem.

YOU 'come up against' a problem; with 'bring', something brings YOU up against it.

More on “bring up against”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my last job, I was brought up against tight deadlines, which taught me how to manage my time better.

Tell it apart

The job brought him up against his own prejudices.

forced him to confront them

He came up against strong opposition.

met / ran into it himself

Goes with

bring someone up against

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “bring” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “bring” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

All of “bring”

9 phrasal verbs in 2 parts.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

bring out bring over bring up bring up against