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 'Crop Up'

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'crop up' means to appear or occur unexpectedly, often referring to problems or opportunities that arise without prior notice.

Examples in context

New ideas often crop up during collaborative meetings with creative teams.
Issues frequently crop up when software updates are rolled out without thorough testing.
Opportunities sometimes crop up in the most unlikely places, providing new pathways for growth.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'crop up' means to appear or occur unexpectedly, often referring to problems or opportunities that arise without prior notice.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb and particle remain together and cannot be separated by an object.

Neutral

Suitable for use in both casual and formal settings.

Transitive

Does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	crop up	Problems often crop up when least expected.
Past Simple	cropped up	Unexpected issues cropped up during the meeting.
Present Continuous	cropping up	New challenges keep cropping up as the project progresses.
Present Perfect	have cropped up	Several opportunities have cropped up recently.

💡 When to Use

Unexpected challenges

Use when unforeseen problems or hurdles appear suddenly and require attention.

Example: "As we planned the event, technical issues cropped up."

Sudden opportunities

Use when new opportunities arise out of nowhere, offering unexpected positive prospects.

Example: "An exciting job opportunity cropped up at the last minute."

Surprise encounters

Use when you unexpectedly meet someone or discover something surprising.

Example: "Old friends cropped up at the reunion, making it more joyful."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using as transitive

❌ Wrong: She cropped up the problem yesterday.

✅ Correct: The problem cropped up yesterday.

💡 Tip: Remember, it does not take a direct object.

Incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: The issue crop up unexpectedly.

✅ Correct: The issue cropped up unexpectedly.

💡 Tip: Use past tense 'cropped' for past events.

Misplacing preposition

❌ Wrong: Problems crop unexpectedly up.

✅ Correct: Problems crop up unexpectedly.

💡 Tip: Keep the verb and preposition together.

Practice

CROP 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

New ideas often crop up during collaborative meetings with creative teams.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Issues frequently crop up when software updates are rolled out without thorough testing.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Opportunities sometimes crop up in the most unlikely places, providing new pathways for growth.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

arise emerge

Antonyms

disappear

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Unexpected problems often ___ during long journeys."

crop off

crop up

crop in

crop down

"When unexpected challenges crop up in life, they often lead to growth and strength we never anticipated."

In Context

In the early 19th century, during the construction of the Erie Canal, many challenges cropped up that tested the resilience of the workforce. Originally proposed by Governor DeWitt Clinton in 1810, the idea saw many skeptics, yet Clinton persisted. As construction began in 1817, numerous hurdles cropped up, ranging from financial woes to labor shortages. One significant issue occurred in 1821 when a massive landslide cropped up along the canal's route in western New York. This unexpected obstacle halted progress and required innovative engineering solutions. Workers, led by Chief Engineer Benjamin Wright, devised new techniques to manage the landslide and prevent future occurrences. As the project progressed, political criticism also cropped up, challenging the canal's feasibility and economic viability. Clinton and his team faced these issues head-on, engaging in public debates and showcasing the canal’s potential impact on trade and transportation. By 1825, the Erie Canal was completed, stretching 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo, thus dramatically transforming trade in the region. Its success defied the doubts that had cropped up during its planning and construction, solidifying Clinton’s vision and engineering as groundbreaking achievements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Crop Up

What is the origin of crop up?

The phrasal verb 'crop up' originates from the agricultural term 'crop,' meaning to plant or harvest crops. Its figurative use began in the 19th century, indicating unexpected growth or appearance, akin to how plants might unexpectedly emerge in a field.

Can crop up be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Crop up' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It effectively conveys the idea of unexpected occurrences, making it versatile for various settings, such as business meetings or casual conversations about unexpected events.

What is the difference between crop up and arise?

While both 'crop up' and 'arise' indicate unexpected occurrences, 'crop up' is more informal and often implies a sudden appearance. 'Arise' is slightly more formal and can refer to both expected and unexpected situations, such as arising from planned actions.

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

CROP UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Crop Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega