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 'Make Up For'

"In life, it is vital to make up for past missteps to cultivate a future abundant with wisdom and opportunity."

📖 Definition

'Make up for' means to compensate for a loss, mistake, or wrongdoing and restore balance or rectify a situation through corrective action.

Examples in context

To make up for his absence, he volunteered to organize the next event.
The team worked overtime to make up for lost time due to bad weather.
She made up for her earlier mistake by delivering a flawless presentation.

📖 Definition

'Make up for' means to compensate for a loss, mistake, or wrongdoing and restore balance or rectify a situation through corrective action.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'make' and 'up for'.

Neutral

Usable in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Always requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	make up for	She tries to make up for her tardiness by working late.
Past Simple	made up for	He made up for his absence by attending the meeting later.
Present Continuous	making up for	They are making up for their mistakes by offering free services.
Present Perfect	have made up for	I have made up for my earlier mistake by completing extra tasks.

💡 When to Use

Compensating a mistake

When one needs to address a past error or oversight, use this phrase to indicate amending actions.

Example: "He made up for his poor grades by improving his study habits."

Balancing a deficit

Use when there is a need to counterbalance a lack or deficiency with something positive or sufficient.

Example: "The sales team made up for the revenue shortfall with dedicated customer service."

Rectifying an oversight

When an initial neglect or form of negligence occurs, this phrase suggests taking corrective measures.

Example: "She is making up for the delay by expediting the process."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect word order

❌ Wrong: She made up the time for being late.

✅ Correct: She made up for the time lost by being late.

💡 Tip: Place the object after 'up for' to avoid confusion.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: I need to make up for.

✅ Correct: I need to make up for my mistake.

💡 Tip: Always follow up with what you are compensating for.

Using intransitively

❌ Wrong: He is making up for.

✅ Correct: He is making up for his previous lack of effort.

💡 Tip: Remember this phrasal verb requires an object.

Practice

MAKE UP FOR - 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

To make up for his absence, he volunteered to organize the next event.
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2
Listen to example

The team worked overtime to make up for lost time due to bad weather.
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3
Listen to example

She made up for her earlier mistake by delivering a flawless presentation.
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Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

compensate atone

Antonyms

neglect

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"He tried to ___ his harsh words with a heartfelt apology."

peek up for

make up for

take up for

break up for

In Context

During the year 1919, the world was recovering from the ravages of World War I. One notable figure, John Maynard Keynes, was deeply troubled by the Treaty of Versailles. As a British economist, he anticipated the harsh reparations imposed on Germany would lead to future conflicts. To make up for the oversight of world leaders, Keynes wrote 'The Economic Consequences of the Peace', elucidating the dire economic impact of the treaty. His foresight aimed to make up for what he viewed as grave errors that could incite further instability. The initial reaction to his work was skepticism, but gradually, his predictions regarding the economic fallout began to manifest. Keynes persisted, advocating for policies that could make up for the oversight. His work laid the groundwork for future economic thought and policy. By the end of World War II, many recognized Keynesian economics' value, and his ideas influenced the creation of institutions like the International Monetary Fund. Through persistent effort, Keynes managed to make up for the initial resistance to his theories, ultimately shaping global economic policies in the 20th century, thus seeing his once-rejected ideas becoming widely accepted and pivotal in global finance.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Up For

What is the origin of make up for?

The phrase 'make up for' dates back to the 15th century, originally meaning to appease or atone for something. Over time, it evolved to indicate compensating for an error or loss, and was solidified by literature and common use in British and American English.

Can make up for be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Make up for' is neutral and versatile, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its adaptability allows it to be used in academic papers, everyday conversations, business meetings, and various written forms without losing meaning or professionalism.

What is the difference between make up for and compensate?

While 'make up for' and 'compensate' share similar meanings of addressing a deficiency, 'make up for' is often used in more casual settings, indicating personal responsibility. 'Compensate' can be more formal and is frequently associated with financial reimbursement or official rectification.

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

MAKE UP FOR - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Up For

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega