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

Mastering 'Clean Up': Definitions & Usage

"True enlightenment begins when we clean up our inner chaos, propelling us towards a life of clarity and purpose."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'clean up' means to make a place or thing tidy or to remove dirt and clutter. It is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as cleaning a room or improving a situation.

Examples in context

The volunteers clean up the park every weekend to keep it nice for the community.
After the children's playdate, it took an hour to clean up the toys.
We decided it was time to clean up our garage, which had become cluttered over the years.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'clean up' means to make a place or thing tidy or to remove dirt and clutter. It is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as cleaning a room or improving a situation.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can separate the verb and particle with an object, e.g., 'clean the room up'.

Neutral

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts without issue.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object, e.g., 'clean up the park'.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	clean up	They clean up the park every weekend.
Past Simple	cleaned up	She cleaned up the kitchen after dinner.
Present Continuous	cleaning up	He's cleaning up the yard now.
Present Perfect	have cleaned up	We have cleaned up the mess already.

💡 When to Use

After making a mess

Use 'clean up' when tidying a space after it has been disturbed or used, restoring it to order.

Example: "After the party, we had to clean up the living room."

Improving a person's behavior

Use 'clean up' to reference improving someone's habits or personal conduct, making a positive change.

Example: "He decided to clean up his act and focus on his studies."

General tidiness

When referring to regular maintenance or tidying activities to ensure spaces or situations remain orderly.

Example: "We clean up the house every Saturday morning."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using intransitively

❌ Wrong: I need to clean up.

✅ Correct: I need to clean up the garage.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'clean up' needs an object.

Misplacing the object

❌ Wrong: Clean up it.

✅ Correct: Clean it up.

💡 Tip: Place pronouns between 'clean' and 'up'.

Incorrect separability

❌ Wrong: Clean up quickly the room.

✅ Correct: Clean the room up quickly.

💡 Tip: Split verb and particle correctly for separables.

Practice

CLEAN 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 volunteers clean up the park every weekend to keep it nice for the community.
Urban Compact Living
2
Listen to example

After the children's playdate, it took an hour to clean up the toys.
Urban Compact Living
3
Listen to example

We decided it was time to clean up our garage, which had become cluttered over the years.
Urban Compact Living

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

tidy up neaten

Antonyms

mess up

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"After a long event, the staff had to ___ the venue."

mess up

clean up

pile up

run up

In Context

In 1889, Jane Addams co-founded Hull House in Chicago, a settlement house dedicated to helping immigrants assimilate into American society. Addams aimed to clean up the urban environment and provide social services. The neighborhood was notorious for its poor living conditions, and she rallied volunteers to help clean up the streets, reducing disease and crime. Hull House became a beacon of hope, offering educational courses, recreational activities, and healthcare services. As the community began to clean up, the residents experienced improved health and morale. Addams’ work extended beyond Chicago, inspiring settlement houses across the nation and initiating social reform. Her efforts to clean up urban areas demonstrated the power of collective action and compassion, leading to her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Clean Up

What is the origin of clean up?

The phrasal verb 'clean up' first appeared in the English language in the 18th century. Its origin relates to the word 'clean', which comes from Middle English 'clene', meaning free from dirt, and 'up', used as an intensifier.

Can clean up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'clean up' is versatile and can be used in both formal settings, such as business reports or environmental initiatives, and informal settings, like daily conversations at home. Context and tone usually determine its appropriateness.

What is the difference between clean up and tidy up?

While 'clean up' and 'tidy up' often overlap, 'clean up' frequently involves thorough cleaning, including removing dirt and rubbish. 'Tidy up' usually refers to organizing and arranging items neatly without necessarily involving cleaning.

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

CLEAN UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Clean Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega