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: Fix Up

"To truly fix up one's future, one must first explore the hidden corners of one's past and illuminate the path forward."

📖 Definition

To make repairs, improvements, or alterations to something, the phrasal verb 'fix up' signifies the action of making something functional, attractive, or usable again.

Examples in context

They decided to fix up their grandparents' old farmhouse and move in.
The school's initiative to fix up the playground pleased the students greatly.
Before opening, the restaurant had to fix up its interiors to attract customers.

📖 Definition

To make repairs, improvements, or alterations to something, the phrasal verb 'fix up' signifies the action of making something functional, attractive, or usable again.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

'Fix up' can be split, e.g., 'fix the house up.'

Neutral

Suitable for everyday language in various contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object, e.g., 'She will fix up the car.'

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	fix up	They fix up old cars in their garage.
Past Simple	fixed up	He fixed up the entire apartment over the weekend.
Present Continuous	fixing up	She is fixing up her grandmother's old house.
Present Perfect	have fixed up	We have fixed up everything before the guests arrived.

💡 When to Use

Renovating a home

Use 'fix up' when discussing repairs or improvements to a home or building after damage or to increase its value.

Example: "We plan to fix up the attic this summer."

Repairing equipment

Applicable when talking about making old or broken equipment usable again through maintenance or repairs.

Example: "He fixed up the old radio in his workshop."

Organizing a space

When you need to clean, arrange, or redecorate a room or area, 'fix up' is the preferred term.

Example: "They fixed up the backyard for the party."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect use of intransitive verb

❌ Wrong: I will fix up.

✅ Correct: I will fix up the kitchen.

💡 Tip: Remember 'fix up' needs an object, something that is being repaired or improved.

Incorrect positional separation

❌ Wrong: Fix the quickly up car.

✅ Correct: Fix up the car quickly.

💡 Tip: Position adverbs outside 'fix up' for coherence.

Confusion with similar verbs

❌ Wrong: I'm going to fix up at the meeting.

✅ Correct: I'm going to dress up for the meeting.

💡 Tip: Ensure you choose the right phrasal verb for the intended context.

Practice

FIX 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

They decided to fix up their grandparents' old farmhouse and move in.
Alternative Communities Hub
2
Listen to example

The school's initiative to fix up the playground pleased the students greatly.
Alternative Communities Hub
3
Listen to example

Before opening, the restaurant had to fix up its interiors to attract customers.
Alternative Communities Hub

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

renovate restore

Antonyms

neglect

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"They had to ___ the house before selling it."

fixes on

fix up

fixed out

fix by

In Context

In the summer of 1945, as World War II drew to a close, Europe faced enormous destruction, particularly in the city of Berlin. The Allied forces recognized the need to fix up war-torn cities and restore normalcy. Clara Barton, not just a contributor to the Red Cross, took an initiative on her own to help fix up hospitals caught in the aftermath. She rallied together a group of local volunteers who had lost family members, uniting them with a cause to rebuild. Rooms stripped of equipment, once filled with life-saving machinery, needed ongoing repairs. By fixing up these facilities, they were able to reignite hope among the wounded soldiers and civilians. Together, they sourced materials from wherever possible, sometimes even pulling bricks from partially demolished buildings to fix up their structures. This challenging endeavor paved the way for further humanitarian efforts, influencing post-war reconstruction strategies. Clara's contribution was acknowledged in history as a vital effort to mend not just infrastructure but also hearts. By the end of the year, most hospitals in Berlin were ready to treat more patients, symbolizing recovery and a collective resilience. Her mission inspired many others across Europe to continue with the process of fixing up and rebuilding their communities.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fix Up

What is the origin of fix up?

The phrase 'fix up' originated in English-speaking countries around the early 20th century, possibly influenced by the general usage of 'fix' in regional dialects, evolving to mean repair or improve.

Can fix up be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Fix up' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It suits conversations from casual discussions about home repairs to professional discussions on restoration projects.

What is the difference between fix up and renovate?

While both mean making improvements, 'fix up' is often smaller scale or casual, whereas 'renovate' implies a more comprehensive, sometimes professional, process of updating or restoring.

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

FIX UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fix Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega