strengthened up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strengthened up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the process of making something stronger or more robust, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The team has strengthened up their defense in preparation for the upcoming match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He looks to have strengthened up over the summer.

The Guardian - Sport

"He's the right age now and he's strengthened up and we've got a leading chance.

The Guardian - Sport

He wasn't finishing off his races in the first half of last season but strengthened up and won three in a row.

The Guardian - Sport

When I got on him in the paddock the last day, I said to Alan he had strengthened up and he's a very nice horse to be on now".

The Guardian - Sport

Ripon 2.20 Too weak to do himself justice at two years, Mister Laurel has strengthened up, according to his in-form trainer, Richard Fahey, and that certainly looked to be the case when the colt edged out Cheviot on his reappearance over this course and distance.

The Guardian - Sport

This result is shown to be tight: (1) it cannot be extended to the case when m is part of the input, since in this case the problem becomes strongly NP-hard, and (2) it cannot be strengthened up to designing a polynomial time algorithm for any constant m>1, since the problem remains NP-hard for m= 2.

Theoretical Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The more he strengthens up, the more he'll improve.

The Guardian - Sport

TalkSport: And you mention they need strengthening up – is that the only area you think they need strengthening up front?

The Guardian - Sport

Strengthen up You need whole-body strength, not just powerful legs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He added, "Depending on results, we will strengthen up voting procedures".

The New Yorker

It looks like regulators across the pond are looking to strengthen up their own insider-trading laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strengthened up" when you want to emphasize a noticeable improvement in physical or metaphorical strength over a period of time. For instance, "The company has strengthened up its cybersecurity protocols after the recent data breach."

Common error

Avoid using "strengthened up" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "fortified" or "reinforced" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "strengthened up" functions primarily as a descriptive term, indicating an action of making something stronger or more robust. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from physical enhancements to strategic improvements. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "strengthened up" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable way to describe an increase in strength or robustness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. While mostly found in news articles and general contexts, remember to choose a more formal word like "reinforced" or "fortified" in academic papers. You can use "strengthened up" when you want to emphasize a noticeable improvement in physical or metaphorical strength over a period of time. Be mindful of the register and opt for more formal synonyms when writing for academic or professional audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became stronger

Replaces the phrasal verb with a simpler verb phrase, focusing on the result of becoming stronger.

grew stronger

Similar to 'became stronger', this alternative emphasizes the process of gradually increasing in strength.

increased in strength

Uses a more formal tone, highlighting the augmentation of strength.

became more robust

Substitutes 'stronger' with 'more robust', indicating enhanced durability and resilience.

reinforced

Replaces the phrasal verb with a single verb that signifies the act of making something stronger.

fortified

Similar to 'reinforced', this term emphasizes making something secure and resistant to attack or damage.

enhanced

Indicates an improvement in overall quality and effectiveness, not just strength.

improved

Offers a general term for betterment, which can encompass increased strength.

built up

Focuses on the gradual accumulation of strength or resources.

consolidated

Suggests that something has become stronger by solidifying its position or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "strengthened up" in a sentence?

You can use "strengthened up" to describe improvements in physical strength, like "He's "strengthened up" his core muscles," or in metaphorical strength, such as "The team "strengthened up" its marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "strengthened up"?

Some alternatives to "strengthened up" include "became stronger", "reinforced", or "fortified", depending on the specific context.

Is "strengthened up" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "strengthened up" can be considered less formal. In academic writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "enhanced" or "consolidated".

What's the difference between "strengthened up" and "strengthened"?

"Strengthened" is a more general term that indicates an increase in strength. "Strengthened up" implies a more deliberate or significant effort to improve strength, often over a period of time. The addition of "up" suggests a more active or intentional process.