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 Back Up

“In life, challenges back up your resolve, reinforcing strength and wisdom, as each step forward builds the foundation of resilience.”

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb ‘back up’ means to provide support or confirmation for something. It can also mean to save a copy of data in computing.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can place the object between 'back' and 'up' or after 'up'.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal settings; suitable for various contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires an object, such as 'back up your work'.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	back up	I regularly back up my files to avoid data loss.
Past Simple	backed up	Yesterday, they backed up their arguments with new evidence.
Present Continuous	backing up	She is backing up her claims with research.
Present Perfect	have backed up	They have backed up their system to ensure data safety.

💡 When to Use

Technical support

Use when talking about saving digital files to prevent loss. It's a common phrase in IT and data management.

Example: “Make sure to back up your documents on a separate drive.”

Providing evidence

Use when supporting a statement with proof or evidence in arguments or presentations.

Example: “She backed up her theory with extensive research.”

Offering support

Use when offering support to others, whether in agreements or during challenges.

Example: “He always backs up his friends when they need it.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Word order

❌ Wrong: Back your files up before leaving.

✅ Correct: Back up your files before leaving.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'back' and 'up' should usually be together when followed by an object.

Confusion with other phrasal verbs

❌ Wrong: They backed off their data in time.

✅ Correct: They backed up their data in time.

💡 Tip: Keep 'back up' distinct from other phrasals like 'back off' which means to retreat.

Incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: I am back up my files every day.

✅ Correct: I back up my files every day.

💡 Tip: Use the correct tense by ensuring verbs match the subject and time frame.

Practice

BACK 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

It’s crucial to back up important documents to avoid losing them.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Can you back up your claim with concrete evidence?
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Before the presentation, remember to back up all data files safely.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

support confirm

Antonyms

contradict

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“Always remember to ___ your data regularly.”

back out

back up

back off

back in

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Back Up

What is the origin of back up?

The phrase 'back up' originates from the concept of physically moving backwards or returning to a previous position. Over time, it evolved to mean providing support or reinforcement, both literally and figuratively.

Can back up be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Back up' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it often appears in technical or academic papers, while in everyday speech, it's common in conversations about support or data.

What is the difference between back up and support?

While 'back up' often implies providing additional proof or data, 'support' generally refers to offering help, assistance, or endorsement. 'Back up' frequently appears in technical contexts, whereas 'support' is broader, applicable in various scenarios.

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