Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding the Phrasal Verb 'Bring Up'

“In life's vast journey, to bring up the past is to sculpt the present and illuminate paths yet untold for the future.”

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb ‘bring up’ means to introduce a topic into a discussion or to raise someone from childhood. It can also mean to vomit.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can place the object between 'bring' and 'up' (e.g., bring it up).

Neutral

The term is used in both formal and informal contexts without changing meaning.

Transitive

Yes

'Bring up' requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	bring up	She always brings up new ideas in meetings.
Past Simple	brought up	Last week, he brought up an interesting point.
Present Continuous	bringing up	I am bringing up this topic for further discussion.
Present Perfect	have brought up	We have brought up these issues several times.

💡 When to Use

Introducing a discussion topic

Use 'bring up' when you want to introduce a new topic or point during a conversation or meeting.

Example: “During the conference, she brought up the new policy proposal.”

Raising a child

Use 'bring up' when talking about raising or educating children from birth until adulthood.

Example: “They brought up their son to be kind and respectful.”

Referencing past events

Use 'bring up' when you need to mention or recall past events or details in a conversation.

Example: “He brought up his prior experience to validate his point.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: Bring up it during the meeting.

✅ Correct: Bring it up during the meeting.

💡 Tip: Place the object between 'bring' and 'up' when it's a pronoun.

Using without an object

❌ Wrong: She will bring up during the meeting.

✅ Correct: She will bring up the issue during the meeting.

💡 Tip: Always pair 'bring up' with an object.

Misuse as a question

❌ Wrong: Did you bring up?

✅ Correct: Did you bring up the topic?

💡 Tip: Ensure the object follows in questions for clarity.

Practice

BRING UP – IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

During dinner, Lisa brought up her plans to travel next summer.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Their grandparents brought them up in a caring environment.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

He doesn’t like to bring up his past experiences in public.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

mention raise

Antonyms

suppress

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“She decided to ___ the issue at tomorrow's meeting.”

down

bring up

create

ignore

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Bring Up

What is the origin of bring up?

The phrasal verb 'bring up' has origins in Middle English, where 'bring' denotes 'to carry' or 'to compel to go'. Over time, its meaning evolved to imply raising topics in conversation or raising children.

Can bring up be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Bring up' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its flexibility makes it suitable for everything from professional discussions to casual conversations without altering its essential meaning.

What is the difference between bring up and mention?

'Bring up' often involves initiating a topic, while 'mention' implies stating something briefly without additional discussion focus. While both introduce subjects, 'bring up' might invite a deeper conversation.

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About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey