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

Mastering the Phrasal Verb: Make Up

📖 Definition

To fabricate or assemble something, either a story or an object; or to resolve something by creative means. It can involve creativity or reconciliation.

Examples in context

She made up an incredible excuse for her absence at the meeting.
After years of rivalry, the two finally decided to make up and become friends.
He needed to make up the time he lost by staying late at work.

📖 Definition

To fabricate or assemble something, either a story or an object; or to resolve something by creative means. It can involve creativity or reconciliation.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The verb can be split by the object (e.g., make it up).

Neutral

Used commonly in everyday conversation as well as in more formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object (e.g., make up a story).

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	make up	She likes to make up bedtime stories for her children.
Past Simple	made up	He made up an excuse for being late.
Present Continuous	making up	They are making up the guest list for the event.
Present Perfect	have made up	I have made up my mind about the offer.

💡 When to Use

Resolving conflicts

Use when resolving arguments or disagreements between parties, often involving reconciliation or settlement.

Example: "After their fight, they needed to make up quickly."

Creating stories

Utilize when inventing fictitious narratives, characters, or plotlines; commonly used in storytelling.

Example: "She can make up a story in minutes, captivating her audience."

Compensating for time

Applicable when catching up on lost time or making amends for delays.

Example: "He stayed late to make up for the hours he missed."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Wrong usage of separability

❌ Wrong: She made story up quickly.

✅ Correct: She made up the story quickly.

💡 Tip: Remember to place the object between 'make' and 'up'.

Confusion with makeup

❌ Wrong: He put make up on his face.

✅ Correct: He put makeup on his face.

💡 Tip: Makeup as a noun is always one word.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: They make up for it yesterday.

✅ Correct: They made up for it yesterday.

💡 Tip: Use past tense 'made' for past actions.

Practice

MAKE 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

She made up an incredible excuse for her absence at the meeting.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

After years of rivalry, the two finally decided to make up and become friends.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

He needed to make up the time he lost by staying late at work.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

invent reconcile

Antonyms

destroy

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"They needed to ___ for the time lost during the break."

take up

make up

break up

give up

"To make up one's life is to weave stories of trials and triumphs into the tapestry of human experience, evoking wisdom and growth."

In Context

In the late 1890s, Belgian cyclist Lucien Lesna made up a compelling story within the world of competitive cycling. Lesna, known for his perseverance and resilience, competed in the 1894 Paris–Rouen classic race. During this time, participants were encouraged to rely on their ingenuity to resolve mishaps without the help of support vehicles. Lesna, known for his ability to make up strategies on the go, faced an unexpected obstacle when his bicycle chain snapped mid-race. Undeterred, he quickly made up a solution by borrowing a chain from a passing farmer's broken bicycle. This inventive act allowed him to make up lost time and secure a respectable finish. His quick thinking and adaptability were celebrated in the cycling community, highlighting the importance of resourcefulness. Lesna's story stands as an example of how making up solutions in challenging situations can turn potential failure into success. This race solidified Lesna's reputation as a cyclist who could innovate under pressure, leaving a legacy of creativity and perseverance admired by athletes even today.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Up

What is the origin of make up?

The phrasal verb 'make up' has roots in Middle English, where 'make' was used to mean 'to assemble' or 'to create.' By the 16th century, the concept evolved to include the idea of fabricating stories or situations.

Can make up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'make up' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its versatility allows it to be applied across different scenarios, from storytelling and fabrication to conflict resolution and catching up on tasks.

What is the difference between make up and invent?

While 'make up' involves the act of creating or fabricating, often with a connotation of storytelling or reconciliation, 'invent' is more specifically used for creating something completely new, particularly in a technical or creative sense.

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

MAKE UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega