This "back" words

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Markus
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Posts: 5
Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 10:12 am
Location: Germany

This "back" words

Post by Markus »

Hi Everybody, i have a problem with all those "back ..." things.

I can back a car, that means to move it backwards, right?

And what would it be if i back up a car?

What means to back s.th. up?
ProfessorVerb
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Joined: Sat May 07, 2005 8:41 am
Status: Teacher of English
Location: U.S.

Re: This "back" words

Post by ProfessorVerb »

Markus wrote:Hi Everybody, i have a problem with all those "back ..." things.

I can back a car, that means to move it backwards, right?

And what would it be if i back up a car?

What means to back s.th. up?
Most people would say, "Mildred, back that car up and don't run over me doing it."

To back something, or to back up something, has a different meaning, though:

"Don't back a loser for president."

"You should back up your computer files by making copies."

I hope that helped. :)
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