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 'Come Up With': Definition & Usage

📖 Definition

To come up with means to produce or create a thought or idea, usually in response to a need or problem, or through brainstorming.

Examples in context

She often comes up with innovative recipes that surprise her guests.
Our team needs to come up with a cost-effective solution immediately.
Despite the pressure, he managed to come up with a brilliant plan.

📖 Definition

To come up with means to produce or create a thought or idea, usually in response to a need or problem, or through brainstorming.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'come' and 'up'.

Neutral

Used comfortably in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object, typically an idea or a solution.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	come up with	I often come up with solutions under pressure.
Past Simple	came up with	She came up with an innovative design yesterday.
Present Continuous	coming up with	They are coming up with new strategies.
Present Perfect	have come up with	We have come up with a schedule for the event.

💡 When to Use

Solving a problem

Use when you need to devise a practical or creative solution to an issue or obstacle faced.

Example: "He needs to come up with a plan to fix the leak."

Generating ideas

Apply when brainstorming or during a creative process where new ideas or concepts are needed.

Example: "She quickly came up with several marketing strategies."

In a meeting

Use in meetings to prompt or encourage others to generate suggestions or solutions collectively.

Example: "We should come up with a new approach during today's meeting."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect placement

❌ Wrong: Come with up a solution quickly.

✅ Correct: Come up with a solution quickly.

💡 Tip: Remember 'up' follows 'come' before the object.

Wrong tense

❌ Wrong: I come up with an idea yesterday.

✅ Correct: I came up with an idea yesterday.

💡 Tip: Past actions require past tense 'came'.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: They need to come up with.

✅ Correct: They need to come up with a new plan.

💡 Tip: Always provide an object after 'come up with'.

Practice

COME 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

She often comes up with innovative recipes that surprise her guests.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Our team needs to come up with a cost-effective solution immediately.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Despite the pressure, he managed to come up with a brilliant plan.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

devise invent

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"He managed to ___ a solution in the nick of time."

come over with

come up with

come under with

come away with

"When seeking solutions, the mind must come up with ideas as infinite as the stars, always daring to innovate beyond the visible horizon."

In Context

During the intense winter of 1805, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark faced the daunting task of navigating the treacherous Rocky Mountains. Despite the challenges, they needed to come up with strategies to ensure their survival and the success of the expedition tasked by President Thomas Jefferson. As food supplies dwindled, they desperately brainstormed to come up with alternatives, turning to the natural resources around them. Engaging with local Native American tribes, particularly the Shoshone, they managed to barter and come up with a plan that involved trading goods for horses, thus providing a crucial element for crossing the mountains. The Shoshone also shared knowledge that helped Lewis and Clark come up with new routes through the pass, a vital contribution to their journey. By the end of the expedition, not only had they charted unknown territories, but they had also charted the resilience of human ingenuity. Their ability to come up with solutions under pressure became a testament to their leadership and the success of the expedition.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Come Up With

What is the origin of come up with?

The phrasal verb 'come up with' emerged in English during the late 19th century, representing the action of producing or proposing ideas. It merges 'come', indicating arrival or emergence, and 'up with', suggesting the production of something, leading to its current idiomatic use.

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

'Come up with' is versatile and used in both formal and informal settings. In a formal context, it can be applied in business meetings or academic discussions, while it can be casually used in everyday conversation among friends.

What is the difference between come up with and devise?

While both mean to create or formulate, 'come up with' is more informal and spontaneous, often related to quick thinking. 'Devise' is more deliberate, implying a careful and systematic approach, typically used in formal or technical contexts.

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

COME UP WITH - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Come Up With

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega