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 'Dry Up'

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'dry up' means for a source of liquid, like a river or supply of water, to cease to exist, or for resources to diminish significantly.

Examples in context

After weeks without rain, the village's only well dried up completely.
As funding dried up, many projects were put on hold indefinitely.
The scientist's research grants began to dry up, impacting her studies.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'dry up' means for a source of liquid, like a river or supply of water, to cease to exist, or for resources to diminish significantly.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb and particle cannot be split.

Neutral

It is used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

It does not require a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	dry up	The lake dries up during summer.
Past Simple	dried up	The stream dried up after months of drought.
Present Continuous	drying up	The pond is drying up rapidly.
Present Perfect	have dried up	All funds have dried up in the project.

💡 When to Use

Lack of resources

Use when referring to the exhaustion of a resource, such as funding or water.

Example: "The financial support began to dry up."

Drought conditions

Use in contexts describing the loss of water in geographical areas during dry spells.

Example: "The reservoir has dried up due to the heat."

End of creativity

Applied when discussing a decline in creative output or ideas.

Example: "Her inspiration seemed to dry up last month."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect verb tense

❌ Wrong: The pond dry up quickly.

✅ Correct: The pond dried up quickly.

💡 Tip: Remember that 'dry' changes to 'dried' in past tense.

Object placement

❌ Wrong: The budget dried the company up.

✅ Correct: The company's budget dried up.

💡 Tip: Note that 'dry up' is not separable.

Confusing with 'dry'

❌ Wrong: The laundry dried up fast in the sun.

✅ Correct: The laundry dried fast in the sun.

💡 Tip: 'Dry up' is used for liquid sources disappearing, not drying things.

Practice

DRY 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

After weeks without rain, the village's only well dried up completely.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

As funding dried up, many projects were put on hold indefinitely.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The scientist's research grants began to dry up, impacting her studies.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

disappear vanish

Antonyms

replenish

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"During the drought, the small pond began to ___ rapidly."

soak

dry up

fill

flood

"When creativity dries up, seek new waters to nourish the soul, for the river of ideas must always flow anew."

In Context

In the late 1930s, California faced one of its worst droughts, causing a severe crisis in the agricultural industry. The region, known for its fertile lands and booming crop production, saw its once abundant water sources dry up unexpectedly. Farmers, reliant on consistent rainfall and irrigation, watched in despair as their fields turned to dust, and crops withered before harvest. Among them was William Zeigler, a hardworking farmer in the Central Valley, who witnessed his family's struggle as their savings dwindled. Their historically lush tomato fields dried up, leading to financial uncertainty and despair. As the drought persisted, the desperation fueled innovation. Zeigler and his neighbors searched for solutions, pooling resources and lobbying for government aid. They dug deeper wells, scoured for alternative water sources, and experimented with drought-resistant crops. Slowly, community efforts began to bear fruit as cooperation grew. The resilience of these farming communities inspired policy changes, leading to broader water management strategies that mobilized relief. By 1941, rains finally returned, reviving the lands that had nearly dried up to desolation. The efforts of Zeigler and his peers laid the foundation for California’s Water Plan, ensuring that the lands would be better protected in future challenges.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Up

What is the origin of dry up?

The term 'dry up' originated in the mid-19th century, stemming from natural observations when bodies of water or liquid supplies were depleted or evaporated.

Can dry up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Absolutely. 'Dry up' is versatile, found in both informal conversations about small issues, and formal discussions about serious depletion of large resources.

What is the difference between dry up and disappear?

'Dry up' specifically refers to a depletion of something, often due to lack of replenishment or environmental conditions, whereas 'disappear' can be more general or sudden.

Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs

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

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

DRY UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega