set up (something)

The phrasal verb "set up" means to get something ready to begin. You can use "set up" to talk about:

  • starting a company
  • organizing a meeting
  • creating a bank account
  • making an appointment

Like other separable phrasal verbs, you can use "set up" in two ways:

  • set up (something)
  • set (something) up

Short pronouns like "it" and "them" need to come between "set" and "up"

Can you set it up for me?

If the object is long and complicated, it needs to go at the end:

Why don't we set up a time to meet and discuss that.

Otherwise, most objects can come either between or after:

My dad helped me set the account up.

My dad helped me set up the account.

 

This phrase appears in these lessons: