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 'Take Up': Usage and Examples

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'take up' means to begin or pursue something as a hobby, interest, or task, or to occupy space or time.

Examples in context

Sarah decided to take up painting and started her first class last month.
The new couch takes up too much space in the living room.
After retiring, John took up gardening to fill his days with productivity.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'take up' means to begin or pursue something as a hobby, interest, or task, or to occupy space or time.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can insert an object between 'take' and 'up' (e.g., take the issue up).

Neutral

Used in both casual and formal settings.

Transitive

Yes

'Take up' requires an object, such as 'a career' or 'painting.'

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	take up	She decides to take up painting.
Past Simple	took up	He took up the project last year.
Present Continuous	taking up	They are currently taking up new hobbies.
Present Perfect	have taken up	I have taken up yoga recently.

💡 When to Use

Starting a new hobby

When discussing the beginning of a new activity or interest, such as music lessons or a sport.

Example: "I want to take up tennis this summer."

Occupying space or time

Used when something fills a space or occupies a certain amount of time.

Example: "This couch takes up too much space."

Accepting a new responsibility

When someone starts a new task, duty, or responsibility, especially at work.

Example: "She will take up the role of team leader."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Wrong order

❌ Wrong: She took the job up eagerly.

✅ Correct: She took up the job eagerly.

💡 Tip: Remember 'take up' as one unit.

Incorrect usage

❌ Wrong: He take up golf.

✅ Correct: He takes up golf.

💡 Tip: Ensure correct verb form agreement.

Incorrect particle

❌ Wrong: She took off yoga classes.

✅ Correct: She took up yoga classes.

💡 Tip: Use 'up' for starting activities.

Practice

TAKE 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

Sarah decided to take up painting and started her first class last month.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

The new couch takes up too much space in the living room.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

After retiring, John took up gardening to fill his days with productivity.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

start commence

Antonyms

abandon

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"She decided to ___ yoga to help with her stress."

take off

take up

take down

take in

"To take up a new challenge is to invite growth into one's life, transforming challenges into opportunities for enlightenment and progress."

In Context

In the early 20th century, Marie Curie took up the mantle of research in the field of radioactivity, despite the challenges and prejudices she faced as a woman in science. After discovering radium in 1898 with her husband Pierre, she decided to further her studies by taking up her own experiments after his untimely death in 1906. She had to take up financial responsibilities for their laboratory, managing scarce resources while continuing groundbreaking research. In 1911, her dedication was recognized globally when she took up her second Nobel Prize in Chemistry, becoming the first person to win two Nobels in different fields. Her story of resilience and determination serves as a legacy that continues to inspire scientists worldwide, proving that taking up difficult tasks can lead to monumental advancements in human knowledge.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Take Up

What is the origin of take up?

The phrase 'take up' originates from Middle English, combining 'take' meaning to seize or capture and 'up' indicating initiation or continuation of an action.

Can take up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'take up' is a neutral phrasal verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, whether discussing new hobbies, responsibilities, or space usage.

What is the difference between take up and start?

'Take up' often implies starting a new hobby, interest, or responsibility, while 'start' is more general and can refer to beginning any activity or event.

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

TAKE UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Take Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega