CAME UP WITH

Human Communication

"When faced with a challenge, it's the creative mind that often came up with the most innovative solutions for life's puzzles."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'came up with' means to think of or produce an idea, plan, or solution, often as a response to a challenge.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'came up with' means to think of or produce an idea, plan, or solution, often as a response to a challenge.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
Yes
'Came up with' can be separated in use, e.g., 'came up with an idea'.
Register
Neutral
The phrase is suitable for both written and spoken contexts.
Transitive
Yes
It requires a direct object, such as an idea or solution.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple come up with She can always come up with creative ideas.
Past Simple came up with He came up with an innovative solution yesterday.
Present Continuous coming up with They are coming up with new concepts every day.
Present Perfect have come up with We have come up with a plan to tackle the issue.

💡 When to Use

Coming up with solutions
Used when generating ideas or strategies to solve problems or challenges, showcasing innovative thinking.
Example: "During the meeting, she came up with a brilliant solution to improve the project."
Expressing creativity
Applied when someone invents or devises something new, emphasizing creativity and originality.
Example: "The artist came up with a new style that captivated audiences."
Academic or research work
Utilize when researchers or scholars devise theories, experiments, or papers.
Example: "The scientist came up with a new hypothesis that advanced their field of study."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Unnecessary preposition
❌ Wrong: She came up with of an idea.
✅ Correct: She came up with an idea.
💡 Tip: Remember, 'up with' is a complete unit.
Incorrect tense
❌ Wrong: He comes up with the solution yesterday.
✅ Correct: He came up with the solution yesterday.
💡 Tip: Use past tense for completed actions.
Separation error
❌ Wrong: Came up a solution with.
✅ Correct: Came up with a solution.
💡 Tip: Keep 'up with' together unless emphasizing.
Practice

CAME UP WITH - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    The committee came up with a new policy to address the ongoing issues.

    Words Multiplied
  • 2
    Listen to example

    Marie came up with the perfect recipe for the new restaurant menu.

    Words Multiplied
  • 3
    Listen to example

    Faced with a tight deadline, he quickly came up with an effective plan.

    Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

devised conceived

Antonyms

forgot

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The engineer quickly ___ a solution to the technical issue."

came out
came up with
came in
came over

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Came Up With

What is the origin of came up with?

+
The phrase 'came up with' originated in English during the 19th century as a colloquial term. Initially used to describe sudden inspiration or an idea, it evolved into a common expression across various contexts, symbolizing creativity and problem-solving.

Can came up with be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
'Came up with' is a versatile phrasal verb suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be employed in professional settings to describe generating ideas or in casual conversation to recount when someone thought of a new concept or solution.

What is the difference between came up with and conceived?

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Both 'came up with' and 'conceived' mean generating an idea, but 'conceived' often holds a more formal tone or might signify the initial phase of planning. Meanwhile, 'came up with', is more neutral and widely applicable across different levels of language registers.

Related Phrasal Verbs

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think updream updevisefigure outwork out
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Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
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



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