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 'Dial Up'

"When life dims its light, let your inner strength dial up the brightness to illuminate the path ahead."

📖 Definition

To 'dial up' means to increase intensity or volume, often used metaphorically for amplifying a situation or escalating efforts in various contexts.

Examples in context

He decided to dial up his efforts after receiving critical feedback.
The director dialed up the drama in the final scene of the play.
We need to dial up our game if we want to win this championship.

📖 Definition

To 'dial up' means to increase intensity or volume, often used metaphorically for amplifying a situation or escalating efforts in various contexts.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

'Dial up' can be separated: 'dial the volume up.'

Neutral

Can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	dial up	They often dial up the music at parties.
Past Simple	dialed up	She dialed up the pressure to meet the deadline.
Present Continuous	dialing up	He is dialing up his efforts for the competition.
Present Perfect	have dialed up	We have dialed up security since the incident.

💡 When to Use

Increasing pressure or intensity

Use 'dial up' to describe raising stakes or escalating efforts in challenging scenarios.

Example: "He dialed up the intensity in training for the upcoming marathon."

Amplifying sound or volume

Employ 'dial up' to describe increasing audio levels for better audibility.

Example: "She dialed up the volume during the concert."

Enhancing efforts or actions

To highlight increasing efforts or actions undertaken to achieve a goal.

Example: "The team dialed up their marketing strategies for better reach."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using 'dialing' as a noun

❌ Wrong: The dialing up was successful.

✅ Correct: Dialing up the pressure was successful.

💡 Tip: Always use 'dial up' as a verb phrase.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: She dialed up quickly.

✅ Correct: She dialed up the temperature quickly.

💡 Tip: Ensure 'dial up' has a direct object.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: They have dialing up the effort.

✅ Correct: They have dialed up the effort.

💡 Tip: Use the correct tense form.

Practice

DIAL 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

He decided to dial up his efforts after receiving critical feedback.
Voices Across Distance
2
Listen to example

The director dialed up the drama in the final scene of the play.
Voices Across Distance
3
Listen to example

We need to dial up our game if we want to win this championship.
Voices Across Distance

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

intensify amplify

Antonyms

dial down

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"To improve performance, the coach ___ the team's training regimen."

dial in

dial up

dial over

dial within

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Dial Up

What is the origin of dial up?

'Dial up' originates from older telecommunication practices where increasing volume required physically turning a dial, a practice dating back to early radios and phones.

Can dial up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'dial up' can be used in both formal and informal settings, making it versatile for discussions related to increasing efforts or intensities.

What is the difference between dial up and intensify?

'Dial up' and 'intensify' often overlap in meaning, but 'dial up' is more informal and suggests a controlled increase, like adjusting a setting.

Browse All Voices Across Distance 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

DIAL UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Dial Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega