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 With: Definition, Uses & Examples

📖 Definition

To 'catch up with' means to reach the same level or standard as someone else or to address something previously overlooked, resolving it.

Examples in context

Emily needed two weeks to catch up with the series she missed.
After a slow start, the athlete caught up with the pack by mid-race.
The researcher quickly caught up with the latest findings in the field.

📖 Definition

To 'catch up with' means to reach the same level or standard as someone else or to address something previously overlooked, resolving it.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

'Catch up with' is inseparable; 'with' cannot be moved.

Neutral

Used comfortably in formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Used without a direct object; focus is on the subject's progress or challenge.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	catch up with	I need to catch up with my studies today.
Past Simple	caught up with	She finally caught up with her reading assignments.
Present Continuous	catching up with	They are catching up with their competitors rapidly.
Present Perfect	have caught up with	I have caught up with the backlog of work.

💡 When to Use

Falling behind on tasks.

Use when you need to address something neglected and want to bring it up to date or standards.

Example: "I need to catch up with my emails over the weekend."

Reaching equal status.

Use when you've reached the same level or progress as a person or group you were behind.

Example: "After months of study, I caught up with my classmates."

Resolving delays.

Use when addressing and rectifying a delay or ignored duty, bringing everything current.

Example: "The audit team caught up with all overdue reports this month."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect preposition.

❌ Wrong: I need to catch up to my emails.

✅ Correct: I need to catch up with my emails.

💡 Tip: Use 'with' after 'catch up' to show completion.

Separation error.

❌ Wrong: Catch up the project with.

✅ Correct: Catch up with the project.

💡 Tip: 'With' stays close to 'catch up.'

Misplaced tense.

❌ Wrong: I was caught up with my friend for dinner.

✅ Correct: I caught up with my friend for dinner.

💡 Tip: Use past tense for completed actions.

Practice

CATCH UP WITH - 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

Emily needed two weeks to catch up with the series she missed.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

After a slow start, the athlete caught up with the pack by mid-race.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The researcher quickly caught up with the latest findings in the field.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

equal compensate

Antonyms

fall behind

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Due to a hectic week, I need to ___ my correspondence."

catch off from

catch up with

catch over

catch away with

"In life’s race, no matter how swift, the truth will always catch up with those who try to hide."

In Context

Florence Nightingale, known as 'The Lady with the Lamp,' revolutionized nursing during the Crimean War. Her relentless commitment to patient care, hygiene, and statistical documentation set new care standards. However, the arduous conditions and non-supportive authorities meant challenges often caught up with her, threatening progress. Despite initial resistance, Nightingale persevered. She began implementing sanitation reforms, which eventually caught up with and reduced the hospital's death rates significantly. Her dedication and innovations in public health caught up with and inspired global healthcare improvements, changing perceptions about women's roles. Florence Nightingale's legacy caught up with her in later years, earning her accolades and solidifying her impact on modern nursing. The story of Nightingale showcases how tireless determination can ultimately catch up with and triumph over adversity, transforming society profoundly.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Catch Up With

What is the origin of catch up with?

'Catch up with' originated in the mid-19th century. Initially used in athletic contexts, it described closing distance or reaching an opponent's level.

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

Yes, 'catch up with' is versatile and used in both contexts. It conveys an action or status change, suitable in conversation and formal writing.

What is the difference between catch up with and equal?

While 'catch up with' implies a process to match a level, 'equal' denotes parity achieved without implying a catch-up effort, focusing more on the state.

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 WITH - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Catch Up With

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega