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 'Kept Up'

"To have kept up with the changing tides of time is to embrace life’s constant evolution, adapting with resilience and grace."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'kept up' means to maintain the same speed or level as someone or something else, or to stay informed or up to date with information or changes.

Examples in context

She keeps up with the latest scientific discoveries through regular reading.
Despite the fast pace, he kept up during the entire marathon.
It's a challenge to keep up with daily emails, but she manages well.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'kept up' means to maintain the same speed or level as someone or something else, or to stay informed or up to date with information or changes.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

This phrasal verb cannot be separated by its object.

Neutral

This can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires an object, either explicit or implied.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	keep up	He tries to keep up with his daughter's activities.
Past Simple	kept up	She kept up with the latest fashion trends.
Present Continuous	keeping up	They are keeping up with the ongoing negotiations.
Present Perfect	have kept up	We have kept up with all the changes in technology.

💡 When to Use

Staying updated with news

Use when discussing the ability to remain informed about current events or developments.

Example: "It’s important to keep up with global news these days."

Matching someone's pace

When speaking about maintaining the same speed or progress as another person or group.

Example: "He struggled to keep up with his faster friends during the hike."

Dealing with changes

Appropriate when describing adaptation to new information or situations.

Example: "Many businesses must keep up with technological advancements to stay competitive."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect separation of phrasal verb

❌ Wrong: He kept the project up.

✅ Correct: He kept up with the project.

💡 Tip: Remember to keep the phrase together.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: He keep up with the class yesterday.

✅ Correct: He kept up with the class yesterday.

💡 Tip: Use past tense for past events.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: They kept up rapidly.

✅ Correct: They kept up with the trend rapidly.

💡 Tip: Include what is being kept up with.

Practice

KEPT 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

She keeps up with the latest scientific discoveries through regular reading.
Words Multiplied
2
Listen to example

Despite the fast pace, he kept up during the entire marathon.
Words Multiplied
3
Listen to example

It's a challenge to keep up with daily emails, but she manages well.
Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

stay abreast keep pace with

Antonyms

fall behind

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"To succeed, he must ___ with his competitors."

keep down

kept up

keep off

keep over

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Kept Up

What is the origin of kept up?

The phrase 'kept up' originates from Middle English, where 'keep' meant 'to hold or maintain.' In the 17th century, phrases combining 'keep' began illustrating persistence or sustained action, evolving into various modern phrasal verbs.

Can kept up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'kept up' is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal usage. It can describe maintaining pace in a business setting or staying updated about a friend's life in casual conversation.

What is the difference between kept up and stay abreast?

'Kept up' generally implies maintaining pace or being informed, while 'stay abreast' specifically focuses on staying informed about the latest news or developments. Both are used interchangeably but have slight contextual nuances.

Browse All Words Multiplied 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

KEPT UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Kept Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega