How to use "put up with"

What Does "put up with" Mean?

• The phrasal verb "put up with" means to tolerate, endure, or bear something unpleasant or annoying without complaint.
• The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "put up" can mean to accommodate or raise, the addition of "with" creates a distinct meaning of tolerating something undesirable.
• The register is neutral to informal. It's commonly used in everyday conversation and writing, but less frequent in highly formal contexts.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: verb + particle + preposition (phrasal-prepositional verb) followed by a noun or gerund.
• Typical objects: unpleasant situations, annoying behaviors, difficult people, inconveniences.
• The components cannot be separated. The object of the verb phrase always follows "with".
• What sounds unnatural: Separating "put up" and "with" with the object (e.g., "put the noise up with"). Using the wrong preposition (e.g., "put up by", "put up for").

Real-World Examples

"You've put up with it"." — The New Yorker

"Why do we put up with this?" — The New Yorker

"I won't put up with that." — The New Yorker

"Don't put up with shit." — The Guardian - Sport

"You're magnificent to put up with it." — The New Yorker

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

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
tolerate	More formal and direct.
endure	Implies suffering or hardship.
bear	Similar to endure, often used in formal contexts.
stand for	Often used to mean 'allow' or 'permit', especially in negative constructions (e.g., "I won't stand for that!").
accept	Implies a conscious decision to allow something.
cope with	Focuses on the ability to manage or deal with a difficult situation.
grin and bear it	Idiomatic; suggests enduring something unpleasant with a positive attitude.
lump it	Informal; suggests accepting something unpleasant without complaint, often reluctantly.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong preposition, such as "put up by" or "put up for".
• Separating "put up" and "with" with the object (e.g., "put the noise up with"). The object always follows "with".
• Using it in overly formal contexts where "tolerate" or "endure" would be more appropriate.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
put up with	Tolerate or endure something unpleasant	put up with + noun/gerund	Neutral to Informal

FAQs

Can the parts of "put up with" be separated, or must they stay together?

The parts of "put up with" cannot be separated by the object. The correct structure is always "put up with + noun/gerund." For example, you would say "I can't put up with the noise" and not "I can't put the noise up with."

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What's the difference between "put up with" and "tolerate"?

While both "put up with" and "tolerate" mean to endure something unpleasant, "tolerate" is generally more formal. "Put up with" is more commonly used in everyday conversation to express a feeling of annoyance or reluctance.

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What's the most common mistake people make when using "put up with"?

A common mistake is using the wrong preposition, such as "put up by" or "put up for". Another frequent error is separating "put up" and "with" with the object (e.g., "put the noise up with"). Remember, the correct form is always "put up with + noun/gerund."