heytardy
Log inGet started

put together — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
put together
assembleprepare or organizesynthesize ideas

Meaning 1 · most common

assemble

  • put sth together

To join parts to make something whole, like building furniture or making something from separate pieces.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

It took me an hour to put together the new bookshelf.

A: Did you manage to put together the table from IKEA?
B: Yeah, but I had to redo it twice!

Common mistake

Not: I can't put together it.

Say: I can't put it together.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'put it together'.

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

Another example

In my opinion, being able to put together simple furniture is a useful skill, especially for students living on their own.

Tell it apart

He put the bookcase together.

  • assembled it

He took the bookcase apart.

  • disassembled it

Goes with

  • put together + item
Practice saying this
Next meaning: prepare or organize

Meaning 2

prepare or organize

  • put sth together

To arrange or create something by collecting different parts, ideas, or people.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

She put together a great team for the project.

A: Who put together this amazing slideshow?
B: Oh, that was Sarah. She worked on it all night.

Common mistake

Not: She put together quickly a presentation.

Say: She quickly put together a presentation. / She put a presentation together quickly.

Keep the adverb out of the middle of the phrase.

More on “prepare or organize”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

For my last assignment, I had to put together a detailed report using information from several sources.

Tell it apart

I put together a quick presentation.

  • prepared / organised it

I put the laptop together.

  • assembled the hardware

Goes with

  • put together + plan
Practice saying this
Next meaning: synthesize ideas

Meaning 3

synthesize ideas

  • put together argument/report/analysis/case

To combine information, arguments, or perspectives from various sources to create a coherent and persuasive whole, especially in writing, presentations, or discussions.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inMostly written

Examples

She put together a compelling argument by drawing on research from several disciplines.

A: How did you manage to write such a strong report?
B: I put together evidence from all the case studies we covered this term.

Common mistake

Not: She put together them into a strong case.

Say: She put them together into a strong case.

With a pronoun, split the verb: 'put them together', not 'put together them'.

More on “synthesize ideas”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In order to achieve a high band score, candidates must put together a well-structured essay that synthesizes information from multiple sources.

Tell it apart

He put together a convincing argument.

  • combined ideas into a whole

He took apart her argument.

  • pulled it to pieces / refuted it

Goes with

  • put together + ideas
Practice saying this
Test yourself: which one is it?
Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.

Turn this into speaking practice

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

assembleprepare or organizesynthesize ideas