How to use "bring up"

What Does "bring up" Mean?

The phrasal verb "bring up" has two primary meanings:

To raise a child: This refers to the act of nurturing, educating, and caring for a child until adulthood.
To introduce a topic in conversation: This means to mention or raise a subject for discussion.

The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "bring" and "up" have individual meanings, their combination creates a meaning distinct from the sum of its parts, especially in the context of raising a child.

The register is generally neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the specific nuance can shift depending on the surrounding language.

How to Use It

The grammatical pattern for "bring up" is typically:

bring up + noun (child/topic)

Typical objects include children, topics, issues, subjects, or matters.

The components of the phrasal verb "bring up" can be separated when a pronoun is used as the object. For example, "bring it up" is correct, while "bring up it" is incorrect.

It sounds unnatural to use the wrong preposition (e.g., "bring down" instead of "bring up") or to use a verb that doesn't fit the context (e.g., "take up" when "bring up" is meant to introduce a topic).

Real-World Examples

"They bring up kids." — Independent

"Why bring up race?" — The New York Times

"I bring up the sexual offence allegations." — BBC

"These observations bring up two central questions." — Plosone

"Don't bring up past issues." — WikiHow

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/bring+up

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
raise	Can be used as a direct synonym for "bring up" when referring to children.
rear	More formal synonym for raising children; often implies careful upbringing.
mention	A direct synonym for introducing a topic in conversation.
introduce	Similar to 'mention,' but can also imply a more formal or deliberate presentation of a topic.
broach	To introduce a sensitive or difficult topic.
nurture	Emphasizes the caring and developmental aspect of raising children.
foster	Often used in the context of encouraging or developing something, like talent or growth. Can also refer to providing foster care.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong preposition: Saying "bring down a topic" instead of "bring up a topic" changes the meaning entirely.
Incorrect word order with pronouns: Instead of saying "bring up it," the correct form is "bring it up."
Confusing the idiomatic meaning with the literal meaning: Learners often confuse "bring up" with similar phrasal verbs or use the literal meaning of "bring" and "up" instead of the idiomatic meaning.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
bring up	To raise a child or introduce a topic in conversation	bring up + noun	Neutral

FAQs

Can the parts of "bring up" be separated in a sentence?

Yes, the parts of "bring up" can be separated when the object is a pronoun. For example, it is correct to say "bring it up," but incorrect to say "bring up it." This is a common characteristic of many phrasal verbs in English.

How is "bring up" different from "mention"?

While both "bring up" and "mention" can mean to introduce a topic, "bring up" often implies a more deliberate or perhaps even controversial introduction of the topic. "Mention" is generally more neutral and less forceful than "bring up."

How can I avoid confusing "bring up" with its literal meaning?

Pay attention to the context in which "bring up" is used. If the sentence is about raising children or introducing a topic in conversation, it's likely being used idiomatically. If the sentence literally describes the act of carrying something upwards, then it's being used in its literal sense. Remember the common mistake: Learners often confuse "bring up" with similar phrasal verbs or use the literal meaning of "bring" and "up" instead of the idiomatic meaning.

Tools