Another word that is fairly common among phrasal verbs in English is the word Add.
There is really only one major phrasal verb that uses the word “add” (add up) but it has multiple meanings and can be used in multiple contexts. The following will explain these meanings and contexts.
Add up
The first meaning of the phrasal verb “add up” means “to find the total.” Here is an example:
What is the total cost of the car including interest? Could you add it up for me, please?
The second meaning of “add up” is similar to the first, but is slightly different. The phrase can also mean “to total.” Here is an example:
The total cost of the car adds up to $21,000.
The final meaning of “add up” is “to make sense” or “logically fit together.”
The facts don’t add up to support his theory.
Here are some more examples of how this phrase is used:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/education/19college.html (see title)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704509704575019333516533828.html (see title) Here the phrase “add up” means “logically fit together” or “make sense.”
