Phrasal verbs · Free lesson
Set it up: prepare a device for use
A new printer has arrived, but it is still in its box. Before anyone can print, someone needs to unpack it, connect it and prepare it for use.
Professor Scott MendozaMeaning in this lesson
set up a device
Prepare equipment so it is ready to use.
Example
“Could you set up the new speaker before the presentation?”
Could you connect and prepare the speaker so we can use it?
The short answer
Set up can mean get equipment ready to use. Both “set up the printer” and “set the printer up” work. With a pronoun, say “set it up.” The past form is also set: “I set it up yesterday.”
Make it ready, then use it.
Setting up is the preparation. The exact steps depend on the device: connecting cables, selecting settings or installing the required software. A noun such as the printer can go before or after up. A pronoun such as it goes in the middle. Keep the verb as two words: set up.
Use it when the device is already clear.
The new printer is here. Can anyone connect it?
I can set it up before lunch.
It refers to the printer. The speaker offers to prepare it, without saying anything about repairing a fault.
Talk about the preparation
Name the device
Please set up the printer.
Replace a clear noun with it
Please set it up.
Keep set in the past
I set it up yesterday.
Try it now
Check what you’ve learned.
Read all answers and explanations
“I’ll set up the microphone before the talk.” What is the speaker offering to do?
Prepare it for use.Set up describes preparation. It does not tell us that the microphone is broken.
Replace the printer with it: “Please set up the printer.”
Please set it up.The pronoun goes between set and up: set it up.
Complete: “Yesterday, I ___ the new camera.”
set upSet has the same form in the present base form and the past: I set it up yesterday.
Build it yourself
Build both noun patterns.
Ask someone to prepare the printer. Use all four pieces. Two orders are accepted.
Choose the pieces in order, then check your sentence. Try the other correct order too. Select a piece again to move it back.
Your sentence
0 of 4 piecesYour chosen pieces will appear here.
See a model answer
Please set up the printer
Both “Please set up the printer” and “Please set the printer up” work. If you replace the printer with it, use only “Please set it up.”
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Why are there two orders with the printer, but only one with it?
This separable phrasal verb allows a noun object in either position. Its pronoun object goes between the verb and the particle.
“Set the camera up.” → “Set it up.”
Does set up mean repair?
No. Preparing equipment can include checking it, but the expression does not say there is a fault. Use repair or fix if you mean make broken equipment work again.
“The camera works. I just need to set it up for the interview.”
Take it into your day
When equipment needs preparation, use set up. If you replace the equipment’s name with it, keep it between set and up.
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