Key Difference: We usually get confused while using the words Above and Up, because it seems like same and both have the same meaning. Here, we will let you understand the difference between Above and Up. The term “Above” refers to something that is at a higher position than something else. As “Up” refers to a higher position or place. The above indicates the height of the specific object compared to others. The word Up defines the movement from a lower position to a higher position.
Above: I want to fly above the clouds.
Up: Riya picked him up at the station.
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Above:
Defines the higher position than the rest
The word “above” can be used as a preposition or adverb. It refers to higher than something. In other words, above means extended space over or at a higher level. Let’s see an example to make it clear. Our kite disappeared above the clouds. In this statement, the kite is disappeared into the clouds by flying higher. You can use this word above when something is overhead. For example, we got the instructions from above. In this sentence, the word “above” mentioned the higher position. It defines that they got instructions from a higher position.
Use “Above” as a Preposition:
A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Above refers to the higher position. For example, The waves came up above her head and she started screaming. This sentence tells you that she started screaming when the waves come over her head.
Use “Above” as an Adverb:
An adverb is a word or an expression that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, preposition, or sentence. Usually, adverbs are used to express manner, place, time, frequency, degree, and level of certainty. She stared up at the moon above. This statement tells that the girl stared at the moon that is above the sky.
More Examples:
- I like children above all others in the world.
- The water came above our knees in the river.
- Good thoughts are above the good appearance.
- Always aim a little above the target.
- The birds fly above our heads in the park.
Up:
Defines the movement from lower place to higher place
The word “Up” refers to the higher level of position or towards the higher place. Up can be used as an adverb, preposition, adjective, and verb. Let’s see an example to learn how to use this word. We got up at four in the morning. In this statement, we can understand that they woke up at four in the morning. To be more precise, we will show you another example. She grew up to become a famous artist. This sentence tells that the girl was grown up to become a great artist since childhood.
Use “Up” as an Adverb:
The adverb modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, preposition, or sentence. It is used to express manner, place, time, frequency, degree, and level of certainty. For example, she jumped up on the wall. This statement tells you that she jumped over (higher than) the wall.
Use “Up” as a Preposition:
As we said earlier, the preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. When we use this word as a preposition, it means that from a lower to a higher point of something. For example, she climbed up a flight of steps.
Use “Up” as an Adjective:
The adjective is a word that modifies a noun. We can use descriptive words like beautiful, sweet, and heavy as an adjective. For example, his contract was up in five weeks. This statement tells that his contract ended up in five weeks.
More Examples:
- She smiled up at him.
- Betty didn’t look up at the sky.
- He picked up his writing.
- His proposal is up for consideration.
- Ron glanced up sharply.
Compare: Above Vs Up
This table will show you the contradiction between the words “Above” and “Up.”
| Above | Up | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It refers to higher than something. | It defines the movement from a lower place to a higher place. |
| Synonym | Greater than, more than, over, beyond, up above, exceeding | arise, mount, rise, climb, lift, upward |
| Antonyms | Less than, below | Below, down, downward, low |
| Characteristic | It shows the relation between two objects. | It represents the vertical direction. |
| Parts of Speech | Preposition, adverb | Preposition, adverb, adjective, noun, verb |
| Etymology | Old English abufan from a- ‘on’ + bufan. | Old English up(p), uppe. |
| Examples | We should come out above our car. Good health is above wealth. Birds flying above the building. There are three dots above the letter N. The flower is above the bush. | Life is made up of beautiful things. The big fish eat up the small ones. Bring up her. Our plan will work up there. I was just finishing up the test. |
Resources and References:
Resources: Cambridge Dictionary (Above, Up), Merriam-Webster (Above, Up), Collins Dictionary (Above, Up), Dictionary.com (Above, Up)
Reference: Dictionary.Cambridge.org[1], Merriam-Webster.com[2][5], CollinsDictionary.com[3], Dictionary.com[4].