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: Finish Up

📖 Definition

To 'finish up' means to complete or conclude a task, activity, or process, often with a sense of finality or thoroughness.

Examples in context

After a long day at work, she decided to finish up by organizing her desk.
They agreed to finish up the meeting with a summary of next steps.
The chef will finish up plating the dishes before service begins.

📖 Definition

To 'finish up' means to complete or conclude a task, activity, or process, often with a sense of finality or thoroughness.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

'Finish up' can split with the object: 'finish it up'

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal contexts

Transitive

Yes

'Finish up' requires an object which can be a task or activity

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	finish up	They plan to finish up their project by Friday.
Past Simple	finished up	She finished up her report late last night.
Present Continuous	finishing up	We are finishing up the presentation slides.
Present Perfect	have finished up	They have finished up the renovations just in time.

💡 When to Use

Completing a task

Use when you are at the final stage of completing a task or activity and need closure.

Example: "Let's finish up the meeting with any remaining questions."

Concluding events

Employ when wrapping up events or sessions, ensuring all components are addressed satisfactorily.

Example: "We should finish up the conference with a summary of achievements."

Ending a process

Use to indicate the end of a methodical or ongoing process, bringing it to completion.

Example: "The team needs to finish up the testing phase before launch."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: He is finish up the work.

✅ Correct: He is finishing up the work.

💡 Tip: Remember to use the continuous form for ongoing actions.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: Please finish up.

✅ Correct: Please finish up the report.

💡 Tip: Ensure 'finish up' is followed by an object.

Separable error

❌ Wrong: Finish up it by tomorrow.

✅ Correct: Finish it up by tomorrow.

💡 Tip: When using 'finish up' with an object pronoun, separate the verb.

Practice

FINISH 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

After a long day at work, she decided to finish up by organizing her desk.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

They agreed to finish up the meeting with a summary of next steps.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The chef will finish up plating the dishes before service begins.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

wrap up conclude

Antonyms

start

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"We need to ___ the project by Friday to meet the deadline."

starting

finish up

beginning

initiating

"To finish up is to acknowledge that every endeavor must ultimately draw to its rightful conclusion, welcoming a new beginning."

In Context

In the winter of 1776, George Washington faced a critical juncture. As commander of the Continental Army, his troops were weary and morale was low after significant defeats. Seeking to finish up the year on a high note, Washington planned a bold strike against the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey. The crossing of the icy Delaware River on Christmas night was fraught with danger, but Washington's determination to finish up the campaign season successfully inspired his men. As dawn broke on December 26, the Continental Army surprised the Hessians, who were unprepared for an attack. The result was a much-needed victory for the fledgling United States. This strategic win allowed Washington and his men to finish up the year with renewed hope and momentum. News of the victory spread quickly, boosting the morale of the revolutionary cause and securing critical support. Washington's ability to inspire his men and finish up the campaign with such a triumph reverberated throughout history, marking a turning point in the American Revolutionary War. The victory at Trenton demonstrated the power of perseverance and the importance of concluding each chapter with resolve and purpose.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Finish Up

What is the origin of finish up?

The phrase 'finish up' originated in the mid-19th century, combining 'finish' with 'up' to emphasize thorough completion. It reflects a linguistic trend of emphasizing actions by pairing verbs with particles, common in English during that era.

Can finish up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'finish up' is versatile for both formal and informal settings. In formal contexts, it's suitable for professional discussions, while in informal use, it conveys a friendly, casual tone when concluding tasks or activities.

What is the difference between finish up and wrap up?

While both 'finish up' and 'wrap up' denote completing tasks, 'wrap up' often suggests a quicker, more summarized end. 'Finish up' implies thoroughness, emphasizing details until all aspects are concluded.

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

FINISH UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Finish Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega