Mr. Maru: Good morning Sparky!

Sparky: Hey, what's going on?

Mr. Maru: Not much. What did you do this weekend?

Sparky: Oh, I met my friend Stinky. We had a drink.

Mr. Maru: Umm right, you met him?

Sparky: Yeah, anyway, you should see my friend Stinky.

Mr. Maru: See him? Why? Do I have a problem?

Sparky: No, he is just really funny. You'd like him.

Mr. Maru: Mmm, OK.

What is the difference between 'meet up', 'meet' and 'see'? These words are a little confusing. They are difficult to use.

First, let's start with 'meet.' This is a very common word. Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary says it means “to see and speak to (someone) for the first time” or “to come together in order to talk.”

Let's look at some examples:

I met Tom Cruise yesterday! (I saw and spoke to Tom Cruise for the first time yesterday.)
I met the president. We talked about peace. (I came together with the president so we could talk.)

'Meet' is only used when you see someone for a short time for the first time (usually someone famous or important). It is also used to mean having a formal meeting.

If you look up 'meet up' in a dictionary you will probably not find it. It is a newer word that is becoming more and more popular. Let's look at a few examples:

I met up with my friends last weekend. It was fun. (We need 'with')
We are going to meet up and go partying.

In Australia, it is actually more common to say 'catch up':

I caught up with my friends last weekend. It was fun.

Finally, let's look at 'see':

Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary tells us 'See' can mean 'to meet with (someone)' or 'to spend time with someone' Let's look at some examples:

I'm going to see the doctor tomorrow. I have a cough. (I'm going to meet with the doctor tomorrow.)
I'm seeing Jenny. She is my girlfriend. (I'm spending time with Jenny.)

'to see' is being used less often to mean 'to spend time with.' It is more common to use 'meet up' or 'catch up.' in social English.

Now it's your turn.  Can you correct Sparky's sentences?  Try it in the comments below.

Thanks to my friends @MissShonah and @cheimi10 on Twitter for help with this.