Phrasal verbs · Free lesson
Save up for something: name your goal
You would like a camera, so you keep some money each week. A friend asks what the money is for. Name the goal first, and add the amount if it helps.
Professor Scott MendozaMeaning in this lesson
save up
To keep money over time for something you want to do or buy later.
Example
“I am saving up for a camera.”
I am keeping money so I can buy a camera in the future.
The short answer
Save up for a camera names the goal. Save up £200 names the amount of money. You can combine them: I have saved up £200 for a camera. This does not, by itself, say you have bought the camera.
Put for before the goal, not before the money you have kept.
In save up £200, £200 is the money being accumulated. In save up for a camera, the camera is the planned purchase. It is not the object you are storing. Saving up can be in progress, and stating the amount does not tell us whether it is enough yet.
A goal, an amount, or both
I am saving up for a camera.
I have saved up £200.
I have saved up £200 for a camera.
I am saving up a camera does not express collecting money to buy one. Add for to show that the camera is the goal.
Build a clear saving update
Name the activity
I am saving up.
Add the goal
I am saving up for a camera.
Add the amount already saved
I have saved up £200 for a camera.
Try it now
Separate the money from the goal.
Read all answers and explanations
You are keeping money to buy a camera later. Keep save up and name that goal.
I am saving up for a camera.For introduces the future purchase: saving up for a camera. Without for, the other choices make the camera the thing being accumulated, rather than the reason for keeping money.
You have kept exactly £200. State that exact amount, without describing it as a maximum or a target.
I have saved up £200.Saved up £200 states the exact amount. For £200 does not state the amount already kept; up to £200 could describe a maximum, not necessarily exactly £200.
A friend says, “I have saved up £200 for a camera.” What does that sentence establish?
The speaker has kept £200 toward buying a camera.The speaker has kept £200 for that goal. The sentence does not establish the camera’s price or whether the purchase has happened.
Build it yourself
Tell a friend your saving goal.
You are keeping money to buy a camera. Begin with I am saving and use every piece.
Choose the pieces in order. Select a piece again to move it back.
Your update
0 of 5 piecesYour chosen pieces will appear here.
See a model answer
I am saving up for a camera.
I am saving up for a camera gives the activity and the future purchase goal. It does not claim you own the camera yet.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can I just say I am saving up?
Yes. You can leave the goal unstated, especially if it is already clear or you do not want to name it. Add for when you choose to specify the goal.
I’m saving up, so I’m spending less this month.
Is I am saving for a camera also correct?
Yes. Save and save up can both describe keeping money for a future goal. Up often emphasises building the amount over time; it is not compulsory in the shorter expression.
I am saving for a camera.
Take it into your day
Save up an amount. Save up for a goal. Saving the money is not the same as making the purchase.
Your next step · Available on Udemy
Explain plans with useful phrasal verbs.
The Phrasal Verbs course teaches 350+ useful phrasal verbs, including save up for gradually keeping money toward a future goal. Continue with clear meanings, examples and practice across everyday situations.
Explore the course English Master Course: Phrasal Verbs