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

Keep Up With: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'keep up with' means to remain informed about or in pace with something, such as changes, developments, or trends, ensuring no one is left behind in knowledge, ability, or action.

Examples in context

Sarah reads business journals daily to keep up with market trends.
Despite her busy schedule, she always finds time to keep up with her hobbies.
They struggled to keep up with the demands of their new jobs.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'keep up with' means to remain informed about or in pace with something, such as changes, developments, or trends, ensuring no one is left behind in knowledge, ability, or action.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Phrasal verb components cannot be separated by other words.

Neutral

Appropriate in both casual and formal settings.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object after 'with'.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	keep up with	I try to keep up with current events.
Past Simple	kept up with	She kept up with the news through online articles.
Present Continuous	keeping up with	He is keeping up with the latest trends in technology.
Present Perfect	have kept up with	They have kept up with every episode of the series this season.

💡 When to Use

Staying informed

Use when discussing remaining updated or knowledgeable about new developments or information.

Example: "She reads daily to keep up with global news."

Matching pace

Use when referring to maintaining the same speed or level as someone or something else.

Example: "He jogs every morning to keep up with his training routine."

Following trends

Use when talking about remaining in touch with the latest fashion or technology trends.

Example: "It’s hard to keep up with social media trends."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect order

❌ Wrong: She kept with up the latest trends.

✅ Correct: She kept up with the latest trends.

💡 Tip: Remember to always use 'up' before 'with'.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: He tries to keep up.

✅ Correct: He tries to keep up with the conversation.

💡 Tip: Always include an object after 'with'.

Using separable form

❌ Wrong: He keeps with up advancements.

✅ Correct: He keeps up with advancements.

💡 Tip: 'Keep up with' cannot be split.

Practice

KEEP UP WITH - 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

Sarah reads business journals daily to keep up with market trends.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Despite her busy schedule, she always finds time to keep up with her hobbies.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

They struggled to keep up with the demands of their new jobs.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

stay abreast of maintain pace with

Antonyms

fall behind

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"It's important to ___ new technological developments in our field."

keep upon

keep up with

keeping with

keep in

"In a world of fleeting progress, strive to keep up with changes to harness the power of evolving knowledge."

In Context

In the early 20th century, as innovations took center stage, Thomas Austin was determined to keep up with the rapid industrial advancements. Working as a machinist, he noticed that technology was transforming industries at an unprecedented pace. With a thirst for knowledge, he continuously read journals to keep up with the latest engineering techniques. Thomas attended night school, perfecting his skills to ensure he could keep up with the demands of modern factories. Despite the challenges, his efforts paid off when he was promoted to lead engineer at a burgeoning manufacturing company. During World War II, the factory shifted to produce war-related goods. Thomas had to again keep up with the changing technological needs and manage new production processes. His ability to adapt quickly proved invaluable, contributing to efficient wartime production efforts. This adaptability not only secured Thomas a prestigious reputation but also ensured his company remained competitive and innovative well into the post-war era. By the time he retired, Thomas had witnessed and participated in a transformative period of industrial history. Thanks to his relentless pursuit to keep up with technology and innovation, he left a lasting legacy of perseverance and progress.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Keep Up With

What is the origin of keep up with?

'Keep up with' originated in the 17th century, relating to matching pace or progress. Its usage expanded in the 19th century amidst technological advancements, as societies sought ways to not fall behind rapid developments.

Can keep up with be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'keep up with' is versatile, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is used to describe maintaining knowledge or pace, essential in professional settings and everyday conversation.

What is the difference between keep up with and stay abreast of?

'Keep up with' and 'stay abreast of' are similar but may vary in nuance; the former implies dynamic action to match pace, whereas the latter emphasizes remaining informed, often through observation or learning.

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

KEEP UP WITH - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Keep Up With

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega