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 'Gear Up': Definition and Usage

📖 Definition

To prepare, assemble, or equip for a forthcoming task or event. This involves gathering necessary tools, resources, or people to undertake something demanding.

Examples in context

The athletes are gearing up for the upcoming international tournament.
Before the concert, the band geared up backstage, adjusting their instruments.
With winter approaching, the community geared up, preparing essentials and heating systems.

📖 Definition

To prepare, assemble, or equip for a forthcoming task or event. This involves gathering necessary tools, resources, or people to undertake something demanding.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'gear' and 'up.'

Neutral

Suitable for both informal and formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Needs an object; someone or something requires preparation.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	gear up	They need to gear up for the conference.
Past Simple	geared up	We geared up for the long journey.
Present Continuous	gearing up	She is gearing up for her first marathon.
Present Perfect	have geared up	By June, they have geared up successfully for the project launch.

💡 When to Use

Preparing for an event

Use when someone is gathering resources or mentally preparing for a specific event or task.

Example: "We geared up for the charity run by organizing teams."

Business preparation

Utilized in scenarios where a company is readying itself for a project or market challenge.

Example: "The team geared up to launch the new software product."

Military strategies

Appropriate for historical or current military contexts where forces prepare for operations.

Example: "Troops geared up for the upcoming offensive."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Omitting the object

❌ Wrong: We need to gear up tomorrow.

✅ Correct: We need to gear up for tomorrow's meeting.

💡 Tip: Always specify what you're gearing up for.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: She is gear up for the exam.

✅ Correct: She is gearing up for the exam.

💡 Tip: Use correct verb forms to match the sentence tense.

Incorrect positioning

❌ Wrong: Up gear the equipment.

✅ Correct: Gear up the equipment.

💡 Tip: Keep the phrasal verb structure intact.

Practice

GEAR 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

The athletes are gearing up for the upcoming international tournament.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Before the concert, the band geared up backstage, adjusting their instruments.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

With winter approaching, the community geared up, preparing essentials and heating systems.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

prepare equip

Antonyms

disband

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The team will ___ for the championship game next week."

gear

gear up

gears

gearing

"Life gears up when challenges arise, requiring us to prepare thoughtfully and act decisively in the face of the unknown."

In Context

In May 1940, as World War II engulfed Europe, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill faced the daunting task of rallying his nation. Germany had swiftly advanced across Europe, and Britain knew it needed to gear up for the inevitable fight. Churchill, understanding the gravity of the situation, delivered his famous speech on June 4, 1940, telling the House of Commons, "We shall fight on the beaches." His words stirred a nation to gear up mentally and physically for a protracted conflict. Factories across Britain shifted gears rapidly, repurposing existing facilities to manufacture munitions and aircraft. The British people, inspired by Churchill’s words, geared up for a collective war effort, contributing in every possible way from growing their own food to participating in civil defense. In the end, their tenacity and preparation became pivotal, enabling Britain to withstand the German onslaught during the Battle of Britain. Churchill’s foresight in gearing up the nation wasn’t merely about military might, but about fostering a spirit of resilience and unity. By the war's conclusion in 1945, Churchill’s strategic gearing up had not only safeguarded Britain but also stamped his place in history as a leader who knew how to prepare his nation for any crisis.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Gear Up

What is the origin of gear up?

The phrasal verb 'gear up' originates from the early 20th century, derived from mechanical contexts where gearing involved adjusting mechanics to optimize performance. It evolved metaphorically to suggest preparing anything for optimal efficiency.

Can gear up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'gear up' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is widely applicable in everyday conversation and professional scenarios, whenever discussing preparation, be it for events, projects, or tasks.

What is the difference between gear up and prepare?

While both 'gear up' and 'prepare' denote readiness, 'gear up' implies a more dynamic or action-oriented preparation involving tools or equipment, whereas 'prepare' is broader, covering mental, physical, or logistical readiness.

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

GEAR UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Gear Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega