Be Up To – Meaning and Examples
When you haven’t seen a friend in a while, what is the first question you ask? If you want to know what someone is doing or planning, you use the phrasal verb be up to. This phrase is also used to ask if someone is capable of a job.
This is one of the most natural ways to greet someone and inquire about their plans. Let’s learn how to use be up to correctly!
What Does “Be Up To” Mean?
“Be up to” has three primary meanings, all related to activity or capacity:
- Current Activity/Plans: Asking what someone is currently doing, or what their plans are. (e.g., “What are you up to tonight?”)
- Mischief/Secretive Activity: Suggesting someone is planning something bad or secret. (e.g., “The kids are too quiet; I wonder what they are up to.”)
- Capability: Asking if someone has the energy, health, or ability to do a task. (e.g., “Are you up to cleaning the whole house?”)
Think of it like being active or ready. If you are up to something, you are either doing it, planning it, or capable of it.
When to Use It
Use this phrase in casual, friendly, and informal settings:
- Greetings: “Hi! What have you been up to?”
- Scheduling: Making plans or inviting someone to an activity.
- Assessing Health: Checking if someone feels well enough for a challenge.
This phrase is generally informal, especially when used to ask about current activity.
Example Sentences
- I haven’t been up to much lately, just working and resting.
- Are you up to going for a run this morning?
- She said she isn’t feeling well and isn’t up to any heavy tasks today.
- Look at those strange shadows! What do you think the neighbors are up to?
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Hey, I heard you were busy over the weekend. What were you up to?”
Jamie: “Nothing exciting! Just up to catching up on some sleep.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember that the form is always “to be” + “up to.” The verb “to be” must be conjugated (am, is, are, was, were).
❌ Don’t say: “I up to reading a book.” (Missing the verb “to be.”)
✅ Do say: “I am up to reading a book.” (Correct use of the conjugated verb “to be.”)
Practice Tip
The next time you call a friend, start the conversation by asking: “What have you been up to since we last talked?”
Final Note
Excellent! You have successfully learned how to use be up to to ask about plans and capabilities. This is a crucial phrase for friendly, daily conversation.
Keep practicing! Are you up to learning another idiom next?