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: Picked Up

"Wisdom picked up through life's quiet moments is the treasure that guides the heart beyond the noise of the world."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'picked up' means to acquire, gather, or learn something, either through effort or by chance, and is often used to indicate gaining skills, habits, or information.

Examples in context

Every weekend, she picked up fresh produce from the local market.
He picked up a new hobby during the summer break.
They picked up their pace to finish the marathon in record time.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'picked up' means to acquire, gather, or learn something, either through effort or by chance, and is often used to indicate gaining skills, habits, or information.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can appear between 'picked' and 'up' or after 'up'.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal settings, standard in everyday language.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	pick up	She picks up new languages easily.
Past Simple	picked up	He picked up guitar skills in college.
Present Continuous	picking up	They are picking up the pace in their training.
Present Perfect	have picked up	I have picked up many useful tips.

💡 When to Use

Learning informally

Use when someone acquires knowledge or skills casually without formal instruction or teaching.

Example: "He picked up French from watching movies."

Collecting items

Use when gathering or collecting items, often physical objects, over a period of time.

Example: "She picked up shells on the beach."

Improving or gaining momentum

Use when describing an increase in speed, especially related to activities or processes.

Example: "The project picked up progress last week."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect word order

❌ Wrong: She up picked new words.

✅ Correct: She picked up new words.

💡 Tip: Remember the correct order: 'picked' before 'up'.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: They picking up friends at the station.

✅ Correct: They are picking up friends at the station.

💡 Tip: Ensure to match verb tense with context.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: He picked up quickly.

✅ Correct: He picked up the book quickly.

💡 Tip: Always include what is being picked up.

Practice

PICKED 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

Every weekend, she picked up fresh produce from the local market.
Words Multiplied
2
Listen to example

He picked up a new hobby during the summer break.
Words Multiplied
3
Listen to example

They picked up their pace to finish the marathon in record time.
Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

acquired gathered

Antonyms

lost

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"During his trip, he ___ several skills."

pick up

picked up

picks

picking

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Picked Up

What is the origin of picked up?

The phrase 'picked up' traces its origin to the physical act of lifting objects, evolving metaphorically in the 19th century to mean acquiring intangible things like skills or habits.

Can picked up be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Picked up' is versatile, used in both formal and informal settings. In professional contexts, it conveys acquiring skills, while in casual conversations, it might refer to learning or gathering information.

What is the difference between picked up and acquired?

While both imply gaining something, 'picked up' suggests casual or unintended acquisition, whereas 'acquired' often indicates deliberate effort or a formal process.

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

PICKED UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Picked Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega