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 'Chip In': Definition, Usage, and FAQs

"To prosper, we must all chip in; the unity of many hands builds a stronger, more compassionate community for all."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'chip in' means to contribute or contribute collectively, often involving money or effort, towards a common goal or cause.

Examples in context

Each member of the group promised to chip in a dollar to buy the cake.
Although not rich, they chipped in whatever they could to help the charity.
Let’s all chip in a few ideas to make this project a success.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'chip in' means to contribute or contribute collectively, often involving money or effort, towards a common goal or cause.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

You cannot separate 'chip' and 'in'; they must stay together.

Informal

Commonly used in casual, everyday conversations.

Transitive

'Chip in' does not require a direct object; it stands independently.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	chip in	Everyone is asked to chip in for the group gift.
Past Simple	chipped in	They chipped in to help repair the school bus.
Present Continuous	chipping in	More people are chipping in to support the wildlife fund.
Present Perfect	have chipped in	We have chipped in and reached the fundraising goal.

💡 When to Use

Raising funds collectively

Use when discussing contributions to a pooled fund or group expense sharing.

Example: "The office decided to chip in for a colleague's farewell gift."

Volunteering efforts together

Appropriate when referring to everyone contributing effort or help towards a common project.

Example: "The community chipped in to clean the local park."

Sharing ideas collaboratively

Utilized when people contribute thoughts or ideas for a joint decision-making process.

Example: "The team chipped in with innovative ideas for the upcoming campaign."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect separation

❌ Wrong: He chipped the idea in.

✅ Correct: He chipped in with the idea.

💡 Tip: Remember to keep 'chip' and 'in' together.

Misusing in formal contexts

❌ Wrong: All team members must chip in their reports by Friday.

✅ Correct: All team members must submit their reports by Friday.

💡 Tip: Opt for 'contribute' or 'submit' in formal writing.

Incorrect verb form

❌ Wrong: She is chips in for the gift.

✅ Correct: She is chipping in for the gift.

💡 Tip: Use correct continuous form: 'chipping in'.

Practice

CHIP IN - 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

Each member of the group promised to chip in a dollar to buy the cake.
Alternative Communities Hub
2
Listen to example

Although not rich, they chipped in whatever they could to help the charity.
Alternative Communities Hub
3
Listen to example

Let’s all chip in a few ideas to make this project a success.
Alternative Communities Hub

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

contribute donate

Antonyms

withhold

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Everyone agreed to ___ in for the farewell party."

chip out

chip in

chip on

chip through

In Context

In the late 18th century, Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, spearheaded numerous community-driven projects in Philadelphia. Franklin believed in the power of collective effort, and this philosophy was evident when he helped establish the first public library in America. In 1731, recognizing the lack of accessible books, Franklin proposed the creation of a subscription library. At the time, books were expensive and not affordable for the average citizen. His idea was simple: every member would chip in a small fee to fund the library's operations and acquire new books. Many Philadelphians appreciated the initiative and chipped in, enabling the Library Company of Philadelphia to quickly amass a collection of valuable works. Over time, as people continued to chip in both financially and by donating books, the library became a vital intellectual hub. It not only expanded access to knowledge but also encouraged social interaction and shared learning experiences. Franklin's vision of a society empowered by information was realized because individuals came together to chip in, each contribution building towards a collective success. The library still thrives today, a testament to the strength of community support.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Chip In

What is the origin of chip in?

The phrase 'chip in' originates from the 19th century practice in card games, where players contributed chips or coins to the pot, symbolizing a collective contribution.

Can chip in be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Chip in' is primarily an informal expression used in casual settings. In formal contexts, words like 'contribute' or 'donate' might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between chip in and contribute?

While both mean to give, 'chip in' is informal and often implies a smaller, collective effort. 'Contribute' is more formal and can imply larger, individual donations.

Browse All Tiny House 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

CHIP IN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Chip In

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega