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 'Light Up'

"In every dark moment, strive to light up your inner flame, for it guides both your path and others ensnared in shadow."

📖 Definition

"Light up" means to illuminate or brighten something physically or metaphorically, often implying a process of making something more exciting, lively, or cheerful.

Examples in context

The children's faces lit up when they saw the presents.
As the city lights up for the festival, everyone feels the excitement.
She hopes to light up the room with her vibrant decor.

📖 Definition

"Light up" means to illuminate or brighten something physically or metaphorically, often implying a process of making something more exciting, lively, or cheerful.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can put the object between 'light' and 'up' or after 'up'.

Neutral

This phrasal verb can be used in both casual and professional settings.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object, as in 'light up the room'.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	light up	Candles light up the room during the power outage.
Past Simple	lit up	The fireworks lit up the night sky.
Present Continuous	lighting up	She is lighting up the stage with her performance.
Present Perfect	have lit up	They have lit up the entire building for the festival.

💡 When to Use

Making a space brighter

Use when increasing visibility or brightness, such as turning on lights in a room.

Example: "We decided to light up the garden with fairy lights."

Creating excitement or cheer

Use when uplifting the mood or creating enthusiasm in a group or event.

Example: "Her jokes always light up the party."

Highlighting an event

Use when drawing attention to an event or action in a lively way.

Example: "The announcement will light up today's press conference."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Wrong word order

❌ Wrong: Let's light the up room.

✅ Correct: Let's light up the room.

💡 Tip: Remember 'light' first, then 'up', not in between.

Incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: She lights upped the room.

✅ Correct: She lit up the room.

💡 Tip: Use 'lit up' for the past tense.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: They will light up.

✅ Correct: They will light up the candles.

💡 Tip: Always include what you are lighting up.

Practice

LIGHT 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

The children's faces lit up when they saw the presents.
Bridging The Distance
2
Listen to example

As the city lights up for the festival, everyone feels the excitement.
Bridging The Distance
3
Listen to example

She hopes to light up the room with her vibrant decor.
Bridging The Distance

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

illuminate brighten

Antonyms

darken

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The singer's performance was so powerful that it ___ the entire audience."

darker

light up

dimmed

dulled

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Light Up

What is the origin of 'light up'?

The term 'light up' originated in the 18th century, associated with igniting lamps or fires. Over time, it extended metaphorically to mean illuminating or enhancing morally or emotionally, becoming widely used in the 19th century.

Can 'light up' be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'light up' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it might pertain to lighting installations or events. Informally, it can reflect creating joy or excitement among people or places.

What is the difference between 'light up' and 'illuminate'?

'Light up' is more casual and often suggests a sudden or lively brightening, while 'illuminate' is more formal, focusing on the act of lighting something systematically, often with a focus on understanding as well.

Browse All Bridging The Distance 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

LIGHT UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Light Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega