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

Catch Up: Meaning, Uses & Grammar Insights

📖 Definition

Catch up means to reach the same level or standard as others who have advanced or progressed. It can also refer to updating oneself with the latest information.

Examples in context

Maria needs to catch up on her emails after her vacation.
They spent the afternoon catching up with old friends.
John has caught up with the rest of the class in math.

📖 Definition

Catch up means to reach the same level or standard as others who have advanced or progressed. It can also refer to updating oneself with the latest information.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between the verb and particle.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Yes

Catch up requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	catch up	I need to catch up on my reading.
Past Simple	caught up	She caught up with old friends at the reunion.
Present Continuous	catching up	He is catching up with his assignments.
Present Perfect	have caught up	They have caught up after weeks of delay.

💡 When to Use

Falling behind in tasks

Use it when you need to match the pace of others after lagging in work or studies.

Example: "I'm catching up on my work after the holidays."

Updating information

Apply it when refreshing or acquiring recent knowledge, particularly after a period of inattention.

Example: "Let me catch up on the latest news."

Reuniting with people

Use when reconnecting with friends or family to share recent events in each other's lives.

Example: "We plan to catch up over coffee tomorrow."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: We caught up the movie late.

✅ Correct: We caught up on the movie late.

💡 Tip: Remember 'on' often follows 'catch up' when referring to information.

Confusing with 'catch'

❌ Wrong: He needs to catch on homework.

✅ Correct: He needs to catch up on homework.

💡 Tip: Use 'catch up' when referring to completing or updating tasks.

Omitting necessary preposition

❌ Wrong: Catch him later at the office.

✅ Correct: Catch up with him later at the office.

💡 Tip: Don't drop 'up' or 'with' when using it to mean reconnecting.

Practice

CATCH 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

Maria needs to catch up on her emails after her vacation.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

They spent the afternoon catching up with old friends.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

John has caught up with the rest of the class in math.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

update reconcile

Antonyms

fall behind

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"After the long absence, he needed to ___ on all his work."

catch at

catch up

catch to

catch into

"To catch up with knowledge is to embrace the beauty of perpetual learning in a world that never stops evolving."

In Context

In the late 19th century, Thomas Edison found himself needing to catch up with the race for electric light innovation. While Edison was already a celebrated inventor, he realized that he was falling behind his contemporaries. Determined to catch up, Edison gathered a team of talented engineers and experimented tirelessly in his Menlo Park laboratory. Over several months, his team made significant progress, and Edison caught up with competitors who had made strides in developing practical electric lighting. On October 21, 1879, Edison successfully tested a carbon filament lamp that burned for 13.5 hours. His achievement marked a turning point in the electrification of the world. Edison's determination to catch up with others in the industry paid off, as he soon became a leading figure in electric light development. This catch-up effort not only secured his legacy but also paved the way for the modern electric era. Edison's story of catching up with his peers is a testament to the power of persistence and innovation.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Catch Up

What is the origin of catch up?

The phrasal verb 'catch up' originated from the literal act of physically catching someone or something in speed or position, evolving figuratively to denote reaching or equaling a standard or update.

Can catch up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'catch up' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It suits business meetings when updating information and casual gatherings when reuniting with friends.

What is the difference between catch up and update?

'Catch up' involves reaching a level or standard someone else has achieved, often after falling behind. 'Update' focuses on bringing the latest information or making something current, not necessarily catching up.

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

CATCH UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Catch Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega