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: Carve Up

"To carve up life’s challenges is to shape destiny from chaos, a task both daunting and transformative, forging resilience and wisdom."

📖 Definition

To carve up means to divide something into parts or portions, often with the implication of distributing or apportioning it, sometimes leading to division within a larger whole.

Examples in context

After the harvest festival, we carved up the giant pumpkin for everyone to take home.
Politicians often carve up districts in ways that benefit their political parties.
The inheritance was carved up among the grandchildren in equal parts.

📖 Definition

To carve up means to divide something into parts or portions, often with the implication of distributing or apportioning it, sometimes leading to division within a larger whole.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can appear between 'carve' and 'up.'

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete the meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	carve up	The leaders carve up the remaining territories after negotiations.
Past Simple	carved up	They carved up the land after the treaty was signed.
Present Continuous	carving up	She is carving up the cake for the guests.
Present Perfect	have carved up	They have carved up the budget into smaller parts.

💡 When to Use

Dividing resources or areas

Use when dividing a resource, area, or entity into parts or sections to allocate or distribute them.

Example: "They agreed to carve up the land among the settlers."

Negotiating agreements

Appropriate when parties divide responsibilities, territories, or tasks in a negotiation or organizational context.

Example: "The committee decided to carve up the responsibilities."

Organizing sections

Apply when arranging or organizing an entity into sections for clarity, efficiency, or strategic purposes.

Example: "She plans to carve up the report into clear sections."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: He carve the parts up.

✅ Correct: He carved up the parts.

💡 Tip: Remember the object can go between 'carve' and 'up.'

Using with intransitive context

❌ Wrong: She carved up without any object.

✅ Correct: She carved up the cake.

💡 Tip: Always follow with an object.

Formal document usage

❌ Wrong: We carved up the agreement in the contract.

✅ Correct: We divided the sections of the contract.

💡 Tip: Use more formal language in legal contexts.

Practice

CARVE 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 harvest festival, we carved up the giant pumpkin for everyone to take home.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
2
Listen to example

Politicians often carve up districts in ways that benefit their political parties.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
3
Listen to example

The inheritance was carved up among the grandchildren in equal parts.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

divide partition

Antonyms

unify

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The committee was tasked to ___ the budget into manageable parts."

unify

carve up

combine

merge

In Context

In 1945, as World War II ended, the major powers gathered in Potsdam, Germany, to decide the fate of the conquered territories. The Potsdam Conference, presided over by Joseph Stalin, Harry S. Truman, and Winston Churchill (later replaced by Clement Attlee), aimed to carve up Europe, determining its post-war boundaries and the administration of Germany. This pivotal moment in history called for the powers to carve up lands to restore peace or benefit their strategic interests. Germany, at the core of these discussions, was divided into four occupational zones controlled by the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. This decision to carve up Germany was made amid fears of its resurgence as a military threat. The Soviet Union aimed to carve up Eastern Europe further to expand its influence, leading to the onset of the Cold War. These historical decisions at Potsdam were driven by strategic interests, revealing the allies' diverse objectives. By carving up the territories, the powers hoped to establish a balance of power, though it eventually sowed seeds for future conflicts. The outcomes of these discussions shaped the modern geopolitical landscape, with enduring impacts on global politics and international relations.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Carve Up

What is the origin of carve up?

The term 'carve up' originates from the 16th-century practice of literally cutting up, or carving, food into pieces. It evolved metaphorically to describe the division of larger entities or territories into parts, especially in political or strategic contexts, such as the division of territories after wars.

Can carve up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'carve up' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it may describe the division of territories or resources, while in informal contexts, it might refer to slicing a cake or dividing tasks among individuals.

What is the difference between carve up and divide?

While both 'carve up' and 'divide' involve partitioning into parts, 'carve up' often implies a more deliberate or strategic splitting, particularly in geopolitical or competitive contexts. 'Divide' is more general and can be used for any kind of partitioning without specific connotations of intent or strategy.

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

CARVE UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Carve Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega