Phrasal Verbs

Past tense negatives
In the past tense, negatives are formed with did not or didn’t. Remember to use the infinitive
form of the verb:
I was really sick, but I didn’t throw up.
You didn’t fall for that nonsense, I hope.
He pulled and pulled, but the bowling ball did not come off.
I’m sorry. We tried everything, but she didn’t pull through.
Infinitive: build up
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
build up & builds up building up
built up
built up
1. build up p.v. When a (usually unwanted) substance, such as mud, dirt, snow, corrosion,
etc., builds up on a surface or in a place or area, it gradually accumulates or increases on
that surface or in that place or area.
The temperature was just above freezing, so the snow didn’t build up.
Trash is building up in the alley behind my house.
2. build . . . up p.v. When people gradually increase the number or quantity of something,
they build it up.
The general built up his forces before launching the attack.
The company is building up its cash reserves in case there is another recession.
buildup n. An increase in the number or quantity of something is a buildup.
During the Cold War, there was a huge buildup of nuclear weapons.
3. build . . . up p.v. When people gradually increase the strength or size of an organization,
system, society, or business, etc., they build it up.
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Over 12 years, I built my restaurant chain up from one location to more than
2,000.
We’re going to keep building the campaign up until election day.