Meaning trap
bring up
raise a child
to care for and educate a child as they grow up.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to care for and educate a child as they grow up.
Another meaning of 'bring up' is 'mention a topic'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
My parents brought me up to be independent.
In my country, it’s common for grandparents to help bring up children, especially when both parents are working.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: My grandmother brought up me.
Say: My grandmother brought me up.
With a pronoun, split the verb: 'brought me up', not 'brought up me'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Bring up' is the everyday verb for raising children; 'rear' sounds old-fashioned or formal for people.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
bring up + child
- three kids
- a family
- well
- on your own
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- bring up (mention a topic) — Another meaning of 'bring up' is 'mention a topic'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.