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 'Spring Up': History, Usage & Mistakes

📖 Definition

To 'spring up' means to appear or develop quickly and suddenly, often in large numbers or quantities, typically in reference to unexpected or spontaneous occurrences.

Examples in context

New fitness trends spring up every year, captivating enthusiasts worldwide.
Community gardens have sprung up across the city, promoting sustainability.
Technology hubs are springing up in various corners of the globe, heralding a digital renaissance.

📖 Definition

To 'spring up' means to appear or develop quickly and suddenly, often in large numbers or quantities, typically in reference to unexpected or spontaneous occurrences.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb and particle cannot be split with an object.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Does not take a direct object; it's intransitive.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	spring up	New cafes spring up in the neighborhood every month.
Past Simple	sprang up	Protests sprang up across the nation in response to the policy change.
Present Continuous	springing up	Startups are springing up all over the city, attracting investors.
Present Perfect	have sprung up	Many questions have sprung up since the announcement.

💡 When to Use

Discussing new developments

Use when describing things like businesses or ideas that appear quickly and gain presence.

Example: "Tech companies spring up rapidly in Silicon Valley."

Unexpected occurrences

Used to describe unforeseen events or phenomena that become prominent suddenly.

Example: "Rumors about the merger sprang up after the meeting."

Positive growth

Can be used when positive developments occur swiftly in an environment.

Example: "Green initiatives are springing up in urban areas."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: Many food trucks have spring up downtown.

✅ Correct: Many food trucks have sprung up downtown.

💡 Tip: Remember past tense form is 'sprang' and perfect form is 'sprung'.

Incorrect word order

❌ Wrong: Businesses up spring everywhere these days.

✅ Correct: Businesses spring up everywhere these days.

💡 Tip: Keep 'spring' before 'up' for correct order.

Using with direct object

❌ Wrong: They sprang a store up in two weeks.

✅ Correct: Stores sprang up across the street in two weeks.

💡 Tip: 'Spring up' doesn't take a direct object.

Practice

SPRING 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

New fitness trends spring up every year, captivating enthusiasts worldwide.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Community gardens have sprung up across the city, promoting sustainability.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Technology hubs are springing up in various corners of the globe, heralding a digital renaissance.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

emerge appear

Antonyms

vanish

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"During the festival, pop-up shops quickly ___ in the park."

fall down

spring up

sit down

pour out

"Just as new ideas spring up in times of innovation, one must cultivate openness to opportunities as they arise."

In Context

In the bustling streets of post-Renaissance Florence, Italy, Lorenzo de' Medici noticed how art and culture began to spring up all around him. Known as 'Lorenzo the Magnificent,' he was a patron to many burgeoning artists. His investments allowed new artistic talents to spring up, transforming the city into the cradle of the Renaissance. As workshops and studios continued to spring up, they collectively created a flourishing environment that would define European art for centuries. Lorenzo's support created opportunities where none had seemed to exist, allowing a rekindling of classical values and ideas to spring up in the heart of Europe. One of the most notable artists who benefited was Michelangelo, whose talents were recognized and nurtured thanks to Lorenzo's patronage. Through this cultural patronage, the Medici laid the foundation for a societal transformation that saw unprecedented creativity and intellect. By the time Lorenzo passed, Florence had become synonymous with culture and innovation, a testament to one man's belief in allowing potential to spring up from the most unlikely of places.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Spring Up

What is the origin of spring up?

The phrasal verb 'spring up' likely originated from the Old Norse 'springa' meaning 'to leap or burst forth.' It became associated with sudden appearances or developments, akin to how plants might swiftly rise in springtime.

Can spring up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'spring up' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, often used in journalism, academic writing, and everyday conversations to describe phenomena that appear or develop quickly.

What is the difference between spring up and emerge?

'Spring up' connotes a rapid or sudden appearance, while 'emerge' suggests a gradual development into view or notice. 'Spring up' is often used for positive or neutral occurrences, whereas 'emerge' can be neutral or contextually serious.

Browse All National Parks 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

SPRING UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Spring Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega