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 'Pack Up'

📖 Definition

Pack up means to gather one's belongings, usually into bags or boxes, to leave a place, often temporarily or out of necessity.

Examples in context

After the party, we packed up the decorations and headed home.
Before school starts, she packs up her backpack each morning.
The company packed up its branches in several regions due to low demand.

📖 Definition

Pack up means to gather one's belongings, usually into bags or boxes, to leave a place, often temporarily or out of necessity.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'pack' and 'up' or after 'up'.

Neutral

Common in both informal and formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object, e.g., 'pack up belongings'.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	pack up	I need to pack up my books before moving.
Past Simple	packed up	She packed up her things and left yesterday.
Present Continuous	packing up	They are packing up their camp right now.
Present Perfect	have packed up	We have packed up our home several times.

💡 When to Use

Moving to a new place

Use when gathering belongings to leave a place permanently or temporarily for relocation.

Example: "Before moving abroad, we pack up all our belongings."

Ending an activity

Use when concluding an activity, suggesting everything is being cleared away.

Example: "After the picnic, we decided to pack up and head home."

Closing for the day

Use when finishing work or business for the day, indicating it's time to leave.

Example: "Once the shop closed, the staff packed up."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: I need to up pack the boxes.

✅ Correct: I need to pack up the boxes.

💡 Tip: Place 'pack' and 'up' together unless separating with an object.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: She pack up her things already.

✅ Correct: She packed up her things already.

💡 Tip: Ensure past actions use 'packed up'.

Omitting the object

❌ Wrong: He decided to pack up.

✅ Correct: He decided to pack up his tent.

💡 Tip: Always include what is being packed up.

Practice

PACK 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 the party, we packed up the decorations and headed home.
Tiny Houses Hub: Minimalism Philosophy
2
Listen to example

Before school starts, she packs up her backpack each morning.
Tiny Houses Hub: Minimalism Philosophy
3
Listen to example

The company packed up its branches in several regions due to low demand.
Tiny Houses Hub: Minimalism Philosophy

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

gather collect

Antonyms

unpack

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Before leaving the campsite, they needed to ___ their equipment."

collect up

pack up

pack down

put up

"When life throws unexpected challenges, it may be time to pack up your troubles and embrace new beginnings with courage and grace."

In Context

One afternoon in September 1940, as the Battle of Britain raged, the citizens of London were urged to pack up their belongings and evacuate to the countryside. Children, their faces a mix of excitement and fear, carried hastily packed bags, leaving behind familiar streets now shadowed by warplanes. The sound of sirens echoed as families packed up their lives, boarding trains to unfamiliar towns. Amidst the chaos, there was resilience in the spirit of Londoners, who knew that packing up was not a sign of defeat but a necessity for survival. Margaret Anderson, a teacher, was among those who packed up and led her students to safety. She made sure each child understood that though they were leaving, their return would signify victory. For weeks, Margaret watched over her group, ensuring they adjusted to life in rural England. As autumn gave way to winter, news of the Royal Air Force's success filled the airwaves. By spring, many were returning to the city. Margaret helped the children pack up once again, this time heading back to a scarred, yet unwavering, London. The experience taught them that even when forced to pack up and leave, the notion of home was unshakeable.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Pack Up

What is the origin of pack up?

The phrase 'pack up' originates from the 19th century, reflecting the act of putting items into a pack or bundle for travel or relocation.

Can pack up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'pack up' is versatile and used in both formal and informal contexts, such as business relocations or casual family trips.

What is the difference between pack up and gather?

'Pack up' specifically involves placing items in containers for transport, while 'gather' means to bring together items more generally.

Browse All Tiny House 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

PACK UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Pack Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega