topped up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "topped up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean to have something filled or replenished. For example, you can say, "I topped up my gas tank before heading out on the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inherited advantages were topped up by windfalls.

The Guardian - Books

You'll need to keep your phone topped up.

Independent

I lit another and topped up the glasses.

The New York Times

Keep the water topped up so the meat is covered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As usual, his water glass "was always being topped up".

The New Yorker

The loan topped up living expenses, not tuition fees.

The Guardian

It had been topped up by almost £4m last year.

The Guardian - Business

They can be topped up and replaced if lost or stolen.

Independent

Chris topped up the generator with gas, spilling it on the hot metal.

The New Yorker

Alas, the numbers cannot be topped up and expire after a month.

The Economist

But those earning low wages have their salaries topped up by benefits too.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "topped up", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being replenished and to what level. For example, "The coffee was topped up to the brim."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "topped up". For example, it's more appropriate to say "topped up with water" rather than "topped up by water".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "topped up" primarily functions as a dynamic verb, indicating an action of replenishing or increasing something to a desired level. Ludwig provides examples where it describes refilling glasses or increasing investments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "topped up" is a versatile term meaning to replenish or add to something, as stated by Ludwig AI. It enjoys widespread usage, especially in news, science, and general writing, with neutral formality. You can use "topped up" with confidence, remembering to consider context and appropriate prepositions. Be careful with the subtle differences between "topped up" and phrases like "topped off". With over 50 examples from Ludwig, it's clear that "topped up" is a common and accepted part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refilled

Focuses on the act of filling something again.

replenished

Emphasizes restoring something to its former level or condition.

supplemented

Highlights adding something extra to enhance or complete something else.

filled up

Similar to refilled but can also indicate reaching maximum capacity.

added to

General term for increasing the quantity of something.

stocked up

Implies accumulating a supply of something.

boosted

Suggests increasing the power or effectiveness of something.

enhanced

Focuses on improving the quality or value of something.

augmented

Similar to supplemented, but often used in more technical contexts.

increased

A simple term for making something larger in quantity or size.

FAQs

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

You can use "topped up" to describe replenishing something that has been partially used or depleted. For example, "I "topped up the water glass"" or "The company "topped up its investment" in the project".

What's a good substitute for "topped up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "refilled", "replenished", or "supplemented".

Is it correct to say "topped off" instead of "topped up"?

While "topped off" can sometimes be used similarly, it often implies completing something, whereas "topped up" specifically means replenishing something that was already partially full. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What does "topped up" mean in a financial context?

In finance, "topped up" often refers to adding more funds to an existing investment or account. For instance, "The loan "topped up living expenses", not tuition fees".