'UP'

[The French]

Hello teachers and the others,

may be someone can explain me what is the use of the particule 'up' in the following phrase:

"The men were able to collect enough for a decent meal at the coffee shop down the street and a few candles to light up their lean-to shacks in the alley behind the train station".

If the writer do not use the word 'up' is the meaning still the same?

I notice in a lot of newspapers, articles, and books that writers put litlle 'prepositions' like up, on, down, and so fourth, but I don't know the grammar rule for those particules (do not hesitate to correct me it's my pleasure to learn where I made mistakes).

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[anupumh]

Hello teachers and the others,

may be someone can explain me what is the use of the particule 'up' in the following phrase:

"The men were able to collect enough for a decent meal at the coffee shop down the street and a few candles to light up their lean-to shacks in the alley behind the train station".

If the writer do not use the word 'up' is the meaning still the same?

I notice in a lot of newspapers, articles, and books that writers put litlle 'prepositions' like up, on, down, and so fourth, but I don't know the grammar rule for those particules (do not hesitate to correct me it's my pleasure to learn where I made mistakes).

Thanks in advance for your replies.

"Light" and "Light up" mean the same in the sentence which you have quoted.