Word Family Worksheets

✅ ACT ON/UPON

1) Act on/upon somebody's advice - to do something because you have been advised or told to do it: 

- There have been concerns as to why the Board didn't act on a recommended pay raise.

2) Act on/upon something - act on findings/information/advice:

- The board of directors will act on the findings in the report.

✅ BACK UP

1) [TRANSITIVE] 

➡ Back something up - to show that an explanation or belief is probably true: 

- All the evidence backs up her story.

2) [INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE]

➡ Back something up - to make an extra copy of computer information.

3) [TRANSITIVE] 

➡ Back someone up - to give support to someone by telling other people that you agree with them:

- If I ask for more money will you back me up?

4) [INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] 

➡ If traffic backs up, or if it is backed up, the vehicles are in a long line and waiting to continue moving:

- Traffic is backing up on all out-of-town routes.

а) If a toilet, sink, or drain backs up, or if it is backed up, water cannot flow through it because something is blocking it.

b) If a system backs up, or if it is backed up, it has slowed down or stopped working because there is too much of something for it to deal with: 

- Orders are really backed up this month.

5) [INTRANSITIVE] 

➡ Back up - to move backwards a short distance:

- I need everyone to back up about 10 paces.

6) [INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] 

➡ Back something up something: 

- I’ll back the car up the driveway.

To make a car go backwards:

- See if you can back up a bit further.

7) [INTRANSITIVE] MAINLY AMERICAN 🇺🇸

➡ Back up! - used for telling someone to return to something that was said earlier: 

- Back up! Didn’t you say they had already met?