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 'Keep Alive'

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'keep alive' means to sustain life, memory, or discussion about something. It involves the continuous effort to ensure lasting remembrance or maintenance.

Examples in context

She works tirelessly to keep alive her parents’ legacy.
New initiatives are helping to keep alive environmental awareness.
The artist’s work was meant to keep alive forgotten cultural stories.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'keep alive' means to sustain life, memory, or discussion about something. It involves the continuous effort to ensure lasting remembrance or maintenance.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The verb and the particle can be separated by an object.

Neutral

Suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	keep alive	They keep alive the traditions of their ancestors.
Past Simple	kept alive	She kept alive the memories of her childhood.
Present Continuous	keeping alive	He is keeping alive the hopes of many.
Present Perfect	have kept alive	They have kept alive the legacy of this place.

💡 When to Use

Maintaining traditions

Use it to describe efforts to preserve traditions and customs over time, ensuring they remain relevant and practiced.

Example: "They keep alive ancient rituals to pass on to future generations."

Sustaining hope or morale

Use it when discussing how to maintain hope or morale during challenging times by providing encouragement and support.

Example: "The leader's speech aimed to keep alive the team's spirit."

Remembering historical events

Employ it to emphasize efforts to remember and honor important historical events that shape cultural identity.

Example: "The museum keeps alive the story of the freedom fighters."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: Keep the tradition alive we must.

✅ Correct: We must keep the tradition alive.

💡 Tip: Place the object immediately after the verb.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: They are keep alive the hopes.

✅ Correct: They are keeping alive the hopes.

💡 Tip: Use the correct continuous tense form 'keeping'.

Misplacing particle

❌ Wrong: Keep alive tradition.

✅ Correct: Keep tradition alive.

💡 Tip: Remember the order: verb + object + particle.

"To keep alive the flame of hope, one must continuously nurture it with the fuel of optimism and resilience through life's trials."

In Context

During World War II, in the heart of England, Winston Churchill's speeches were a beacon of hope for all those who listened. Facing the looming threat of Nazi invasion, Churchill's objective was to keep alive the spirit of resistance and resilience among the British people. He knew that the morale of the nation could tilt the balance of war. In his speeches, which were broadcasted across the nation, he articulated the need to keep alive the ideals of democracy, freedom, and courage. Particularly during the darkest days of the Blitz, when bombs rained down on London, Churchill's words kept alive the fighting spirit of the British. Through him, the government ensured that rumors and fear didn't take root, instead focusing on keeping alive the truth and the resolve to fight back. By the end of the war, though exhausted and weary, the British credited their victory to many factors, but the ability to keep alive the spirit of unity and perseverance was undeniably significant. Churchill's speeches, filled with both resolve and reassurance, became historical exemplars of how words could keep alive a nation's collective will to endure and emerge victorious.

Practice

KEEP ALIVE - 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 works tirelessly to keep alive her parents’ legacy.
Words Multiplied
2
Listen to example

New initiatives are helping to keep alive environmental awareness.
Words Multiplied
3
Listen to example

The artist’s work was meant to keep alive forgotten cultural stories.
Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

sustain preserve

Antonyms

abandon

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"He managed to ___ the tradition despite numerous challenges."

alive keep

keep alive

keeping alive

alive keep

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Keep Alive

What is the origin of keep alive?

The phrase 'keep alive' has roots in Old English, where 'keep' meant to hold or preserve, while 'alive' referred to life itself. Historically, it evolved from a literal sense of sustaining life to metaphorically preserving memory or spirit.

Can keep alive be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'keep alive' is versatile enough to be used in both formal and informal contexts. Whether discussing a professional project or personal memories, it aptly describes efforts to sustain or maintain something significant.

What is the difference between keep alive and sustain?

While both 'keep alive' and 'sustain' involve maintenance, 'keep alive' often implies emotional, cultural, or symbolic preservation, whereas 'sustain' focuses on providing necessary support or resources for continued existence.

Browse Human Communication 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

In Context

KEEP ALIVE - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Keep Alive

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega