Use this everyday expression when you attach a picture or notice to a wall.

The idea

In neutral everyday English, put up is separable: say put up the picture or put the picture up. With a pronoun, say put it up.

Examples

  • I put up a picture above my desk.
  • Maya put a notice up by the door yesterday.
  • Can you put it up in the kitchen?
  • The children put up their drawings at school.
  • We put the map up near the window.
  • Sam will put up a poster for the concert.

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Watch out

Do not say put up it: an object pronoun belongs between the verb and particle. The past of put is also put.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. Please put ___ the photo on the wall. (up / off)

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    up

    up completes the expression for attaching the photo.

  2. Choose the correct option. Put ___ up beside the clock. (it / up it)

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    it

    it refers to the thing being attached and fits before the particle.

  3. Choose the correct option. Yesterday, Leo ___ up a sign. (put / puts)

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    put

    put has the same form in the past, matching yesterday.

Use it today

Describe a picture or notice you want to put on a wall.