English Reference

Phrasal verb

spring up

Definition

phrasal verb. to appear or start to exist suddenly and in large numbers.

phrasal verb. to emerge or develop rapidly and unexpectedly. Intransitive — the verb does not take a direct object.

Examples

“New coffee shops are springing up all over the city.”

“After the heavy rain, mushrooms began to spring up across the damp forest floor.”

“Dozens of tech startups began to spring up in the valley as venture capital became more accessible to young entrepreneurs.”

Examples

simple

“New coffee shops are springing up all over the city.”

contextual

“After the heavy rain, mushrooms began to spring up across the damp forest floor.”

complex

“Dozens of tech startups began to spring up in the valley as venture capital became more accessible to young entrepreneurs.”

Usage

usually used with plural subjects to describe a sudden trend or growth.

Teaching tip

remind students that 'spring' is an irregular verb (spring, sprang, sprung); the movement of a physical spring provides a helpful visual for the suddenness of the appearance.

Pitfall

Many buildings were sprung up.

Many buildings sprang up.

this phrasal verb is intransitive and cannot be used in the passive voice.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

subject + spring + up

Synonyms

pop upappearmushroomproliferate

Antonyms

vanishdisappeardie out

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference