Conjugation

Back up

reculer

Regular verb, phrasal verb.

  • Phrasal verb: up

    Only back changes; up stays the same: backed up, backed up.

  • Object in the middle

    The object can go before up, as the card writes it: back something up. A pronoun always does: back it up.

In speech, the helping verbs shorten: I’m, he’s, we’re, I’ve, I’ll, I’d.

Newbie

Enough to talk about now, the past, and your plans, and to give instructions.

  1. Present simple

    Habits, facts, and how things usually are. To say no or ask, add do or does: I don't back up, he doesn't back up.

    1. I / you / we / they back up
    2. he / she / it backs up

  2. Present continuous

    What is happening now, and plans already arranged: we’re leaving tomorrow.

    1. I am backing up
    2. you / we / they are backing up
    3. he / she / it is backing up

  3. Past simple

    A finished action at a past time: yesterday, in 2020. To say no or ask, add did: I didn't back up.

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they backed up

  4. Future with going to

    Plans and intentions, and what you can see coming: it’s going to rain.

    1. I am going to back up
    2. you / we / they are going to back up
    3. he / she / it is going to back up

  5. Imperative

    Orders, advice, and instructions. Let’s suggests doing it together. To say no: don't back up.

    1. (you) back up
    2. let's back up