to keep up with somebody/something = to stay level, equal or up to date with somebody or something.
This could often be used in a physical sense. For example, imagine a parent walking quickly along the street with their child behind them. If the child is walking slowly, the parent might turn around and say, “Keep up!”. They want the child to stay level with them, not to fall behind.
This phrasal verb could also be used in a non-physical sense, such as with speech. e.g. He gave me the instructions so quickly that I could hardly keep up.
We can also use this phrasal verbs to communicate the idea of staying up to date with the news or developments. e.g. As a fashion designer, it’s very important that I keep up with the latest trends.
If you say, “I can’t keep up”, it means that it is too difficult or impossible for you to stay at the same level as someone or something. e.g. Technology changes so quickly these days that I can’t keep up anymore.
Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?
Accent: Ireland
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I run with couldn't her.
About the sentence
…I went for a run…
Notice the useful structure to go for a ___ to talk about exercise. e.g. I needed some fresh air, so I decided to go for a run/jog/walk/swim/bike ride etc.
Accent: England (RP)
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speak more – I can't .
Accent: North America
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I keep current affairs watch news .
About the sentence
…I like to keep up with current affairs…
Note that the meaning of to like to do sth is different from to like doing sth.
to like doing sth = to enjoy sth, e.g. I like reading in the garden when the sun is out.
to like to do sth = to do something because it is a preference, habit or tendency. e.g. I like to alternate fiction and non-fiction books.
This means that you might like to do something which you don’t enjoy. e.g. I like to wake up at 6am so I can have a relaxed breakfast.
Extra practice
When you listen to native speakers or watch a film or TV program in English, do you find it difficult to keep up?
Do you like to keep up with current affairs? How?
Think of a time when you couldn’t keep up with something – tell me about it using the phrasal verb.
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This exercise:3 dictations
Accents:Ireland, North America, Received Pronunciation
When you listen to native speakers or watch a film or TV program in English, do you find it difficult to keep up? ans) I watch a bunch of youtube videos by native speakers every single day, and that is always hard for me to understand because of their accent and speed. From when I was young, I have constantly learned English but I read some texts in the textbook and memorized a bunch of words, which means I had many inputs but i had no any outputs. So, even I cannot express some simple sentences even though I know… Read more »
Great answers, well done! The issue you describe (many inputs with no outputs) is a really common problem I think. I’ve come across many students who know a lot of English in theory but have big problems when it comes to speaking.
One small correction – we use ‘scary’ to describe the thing that scares us, and ‘scared’ to describe our feelings. e.g. Going up to the top of the skyscraper was very scary / I felt very scared when I was on the top of the skyscraper.
When you listen to native speakers or watch a film or TV program in English, do you find it difficult to keep up? ans) I watch a bunch of youtube videos by native speakers every single day, and that is always hard for me to understand because of their accent and speed. From when I was young, I have constantly learned English but I read some texts in the textbook and memorized a bunch of words, which means I had many inputs but i had no any outputs. So, even I cannot express some simple sentences even though I know… Read more »
Great answers, well done! The issue you describe (many inputs with no outputs) is a really common problem I think. I’ve come across many students who know a lot of English in theory but have big problems when it comes to speaking.
One small correction – we use ‘scary’ to describe the thing that scares us, and ‘scared’ to describe our feelings. e.g. Going up to the top of the skyscraper was very scary / I felt very scared when I was on the top of the skyscraper.