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 'Add up to'

“Embrace life's choices, for they collectively add up to the journey of one's true purpose and fulfillment.”

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrase cannot be split. The object must follow immediately.

Neutral

Neither formal nor informal; suitable for general use.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	add up to	The small donations add up to a substantial sum.
Past Simple	added up to	Their efforts added up to a successful event.
Present Continuous	adding up to	Every small step is adding up to their overall success.
Present Perfect	have added up to	Years of research have added up to significant knowledge.

💡 When to Use

Calculating total costs

Use this when summing individual costs to find a total expense or charge.

Example: “The renovation costs add up to $10,000.”

Explaining accumulated impact

Utilize when small, individual actions or facts together have a significant impact or result.

Example: “Her daily exercises add up to significant weight loss.”

Summarizing evidence

Appropriate when demonstrating that different pieces of evidence collectively support a conclusion.

Example: “The clues add up to a clear case of fraud.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect use of separability

❌ Wrong: The numbers add to up a confusing total.

✅ Correct: The numbers add up to a confusing total.

💡 Tip: Remember: the phrase must stay together.

Usage without a direct object

❌ Wrong: Her efforts add up.

✅ Correct: Her efforts add up to something valuable.

💡 Tip: Always include what it adds up to.

Confusing with 'sum up'

❌ Wrong: His skills sum up to great performance.

✅ Correct: His skills add up to great performance.

💡 Tip: 'Add up to' for totals, 'sum up' for summaries.

Practice

ADD UP TO – 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 evidence presented adds up to a compelling case for reform.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

When all expenses are added up, the project stayed on budget.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The combined efforts of the volunteers add up to a remarkable impact on the community.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

amount to total

Antonyms

detract from

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“All the contributions from donors ___ a significant fund for the charity.”

summing to

add up to

adding

amassing

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Add Up To

What is the origin of add up to?

The phrasal verb 'add up to' first emerged in the 19th century, evolving from the mathematical process of addition, extending metaphorically to indicate cumulative effects or outcomes.

Can add up to be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Add up to' is a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for everyday conversation, academic discussions, and professional reports.

What is the difference between add up to and amount to?

'Add up to' emphasizes the idea of accumulation leading to a result, while 'amount to' generally refers to the resultant total or mass of something, often used interchangeably.

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