brought me up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brought me up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone raising or nurturing you during your upbringing. Example: "My grandmother brought me up after my parents passed away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"My father brought me up by himself".

The New Yorker

This brought me up short.

The Guardian - Books

That's what brought me up".

The Guardian - Film

Edward's question brought me up short.

The New York Times - Arts

"He brought me up on Robert Frost".

The New York Times

My mom also brought me up religiously...

The New York Times

The, the guard who brought me up?

The New York Times - Magazine

They brought me up here to win".

The New York Times - Sports

The word brought me up short.

The New Yorker

One of the cards brought me up short.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's a really pithy, funny script that [brought me] up short on my own preconceptions of the characters.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance; "brought me up" implies more than just providing for someone; it encompasses their upbringing and development.

Common error

Avoid using "brought me up" when you mean simply to introduce a topic. For instance, don't say "He brought me up to speed" when "He brought me up to speed" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "brought me up" functions as a transitive verb, where 'me' is the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct. The phrase describes the action of raising someone from childhood, including their care, education, and socialization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "brought me up" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone's upbringing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, showing its widespread usage across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media. While "brought me up" is generally neutral in register, it emphasizes the nurturing and formative aspects of raising a child. Alternatives such as "raised me" or "nurtured me" can offer nuanced expressions of the same concept. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the caregiver and the imparted values or principles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raised me

Direct synonym, focusing on the act of nurturing and educating from childhood.

nurtured me

Emphasizes the caring and fostering aspect of raising someone.

cared for me

Highlights the provision of needs and well-being.

mentored me

Focuses on guidance and development, often in a specific area.

educated me

Highlights the formal or informal instruction received.

reared me

A more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for raising.

helped me grow

Emphasizes personal development and maturation.

shaped my upbringing

Focuses on the influence on one's formative years.

guided my development

Highlights the direction and support provided during growth.

was instrumental in my development

Shows how essential the person was in the speaker's formation as a person.

FAQs

What does "brought me up" mean?

The phrase "brought me up" means someone raised you from childhood, providing care, education, and values. It emphasizes the nurturing aspect of parenting or guardianship.

What's a more formal way to say "brought me up"?

A more formal alternative to "brought me up" is "reared me". While less common in everyday conversation, it carries a similar meaning in formal contexts.

Can "brought me up" be used in a business context?

While "brought me up" is generally used in personal contexts, it can be used in a business context to describe how someone was "mentored" or trained in a particular skill or profession.

Is it correct to say "brought me up on" something?

Yes, it is correct to say "brought me up on" something, as in "He "brought me up" on Robert Frost". This means that you were raised with a particular influence or exposure.