Backup versus Back up

What is the Difference Between Backup and Back up?

When to Use Backup

Backup is a noun, and sometimes an adjective.

As a noun, backup refers to an extra or secondary version of something. In computing, for instance, a backup is a copy of information stored separately, in case of hardware failure or other data loss.

Here are a few examples,

Kayla does a weekly backup of all her personal files to an external hard drive.

If Plan A fails, don’t worry; we have a backup in place.


As an adjective, backup describes the quality of being extra or secondary. A backup generator, for instance, is an extra generator that will still supply power if the primary generator fails.


When to Use Back Up

Back up is a verb phrase. In one sense, it means to support someone or something in an auxiliary role.

For example,

True friends will always back up their friends in a fight, even if they know they will lose.

In another sense, back up can mean to make a copy of information on a computer, like in one of the noun senses of backup.

Back up all your files to the cloud so that you can access them from any device.

Back up can also mean to move backwards or retreat, like in this sentence:

Back up the truck so we can load the mattresses without walking so far.

Summary

Is it backup or back up? All that separates the spelling of these words is a single space, but they do function as different parts of speech.

Backup is an adjective and a noun.
Back up is a verb phrase.

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