WEIGH UP

National Parks

📖 Definition

To weigh up means to consider the pros and cons of something carefully before making a decision. It often involves evaluating various factors and thinking critically about potential outcomes.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To weigh up means to consider the pros and cons of something carefully before making a decision. It often involves evaluating various factors and thinking critically about potential outcomes.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
Yes
The object can be placed between 'weigh' and 'up' or after 'up'.
Register
Neutral
Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
Requires an object to indicate what is being evaluated.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple weigh up She weighs up her career options carefully.
Past Simple weighed up He weighed up the pros and cons before deciding.
Present Continuous weighing up They are weighing up the potential risks.
Present Perfect have weighed up I have weighed up all possible choices.

💡 When to Use

Decision-making
Use when considering various aspects of a situation before making a decision. Helps in making informed choices.
Example: "Before buying the house, they weighed up all options."
Evaluating risks
Utilize when analyzing potential risks and benefits of a situation, especially in business or personal life.
Example: "The team is weighing up the risks of expansion."
Considering alternatives
Apply when comparing different alternatives to choose the best course of action or solution.
Example: "After weighing up various restaurants, we chose the Italian one."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect use of object placement
❌ Wrong: They up weighed their options.
✅ Correct: They weighed up their options.
💡 Tip: Place the object between 'weigh' and 'up' or after 'up'.
Using intransitively
❌ Wrong: She weighs up every day.
✅ Correct: She weighs up her decisions every day.
💡 Tip: Always provide an object for the verb.
Using in informal context only
❌ Wrong: Formally, the committee shouldn't weigh up.
✅ Correct: Formally, the committee should weigh up the proposal.
💡 Tip: It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.
Practice

WEIGH UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

evaluate consider

Antonyms

neglect

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"He took time to ___ the different investment choices."

weigh in
weigh up
weigh over
weigh out

"To weigh up choices is to embrace the journey, for in every decision lies the seed of wisdom and growth."

In Context

In the early 1800s, the renowned British scientist Mary Somerville found herself at a crossroads. With burgeoning interests in mathematics and astronomy, she had to weigh up her professional aspirations against prevailing societal norms. In a male-dominated field, pursuing a scientific career was fraught with challenges. Somerville decided to weigh up these challenges meticulously. Spending nights poring over astronomical data, she calculated and verified celestial mechanics with precision. This calculated weighing up of the odds paid off; in 1831, her translation and commentary of Laplace's work made significant waves in scientific circles. As she became a respected figure, Somerville continued to weigh up the broader implications of her work, advocating for women's education and scientific literacy. Her efforts culminated in her election as an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society alongside Caroline Herschel. In her later years, she joined debates on social reform and science, always weighing up the impact of her voice in these discussions. Mary Somerville's legacy endures not only in her scientific contributions but also in the spirit of perseverance and intellectual evaluation she embodied throughout her life.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Weigh Up

What is the origin of weigh up?

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The verb 'weigh' originates from Old English 'wegan', meaning to measure the heaviness of something. The use of 'weigh up' emerged to denote the evaluation or consideration aspect, figuratively comparing ideas or options as one might weigh objects on a scale.

Can weigh up be used in formal and informal contexts?

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Yes, 'weigh up' is a versatile phrasal verb appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in professional settings to assess situations and make informed decisions, as well as casually when considering personal alternatives or choices.

What is the difference between weigh up and evaluate?

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While both 'weigh up' and 'evaluate' involve careful consideration, 'weigh up' often implies a comparative analysis, looking at pros and cons. 'Evaluate' is more formal and suggests a detailed examination to assess value or quality without the comparative aspect necessarily.

Related Phrasal Verbs

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turn upwatch outwear downwork towrite down
Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs
National Parks Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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