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 and Using 'Sum Up'

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'sum up' means to briefly give the main point or highlights of something, effectively summarizing the essential details.

Examples in context

She summed up the meeting in just a few sentences.
To sum up his speech, he thanked the audience for their support.
The report summed up the team's achievements over the past year.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'sum up' means to briefly give the main point or highlights of something, effectively summarizing the essential details.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

'Sum up' can be split by an object, e.g., 'sum the meeting up'.

Neutral

It is used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

'Sum up' requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	sum up	Please sum up the key points of the meeting.
Past Simple	summed up	She summed up the presentation effectively.
Present Continuous	summing up	He is summing up the main themes of the novel.
Present Perfect	have summed up	We have summed up the discussion in the report.

💡 When to Use

Presentations and speeches

Use 'sum up' to conclude talks by outlining main points, ensuring clarity and retention of key ideas.

Example: "He summed up his presentation with a clear call to action."

Writing reports

Employed in report writing to condense information into concise conclusions, providing clear summaries for readers.

Example: "The report summed up the findings of the market research study."

Everyday conversations

In casual dialogue, it helps to recap stories or events succinctly, aiding understanding and recall.

Example: "To sum up our weekend, we had fun at the beach."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using as inseparable

❌ Wrong: Please sum up it for me.

✅ Correct: Please sum it up for me.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'sum up' is separable!

Omitting the object

❌ Wrong: I can sum up quickly.

✅ Correct: I can sum up the main idea quickly.

💡 Tip: Don't forget to specify what you're summing up.

Incorrect verb tense

❌ Wrong: He will sum uped the event.

✅ Correct: He will sum up the event.

💡 Tip: Check verb tense consistency.

Practice

SUM 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 summed up the meeting in just a few sentences.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

To sum up his speech, he thanked the audience for their support.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The report summed up the team's achievements over the past year.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

summarize recap

Antonyms

expand

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"To ___ the lecture, the professor highlighted the main points."

sum of

sum up

sum in

sum on

"To sum up a life's journey is to condense a universe of experiences into a paragraph of understanding."

In Context

Winston Churchill, the esteemed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, had a talent for articulating complex situations concisely. His speeches often summed up the spirit of resilience in the face of adversity, motivating millions. For instance, Churchill famously summed up Britain's determination with his words, 'We shall never surrender,' which rallied the nation during the darkest hours of the war. The essence of Churchill's leadership was his remarkable ability to sum up not just his political strategies but also the national sentiment. One of his most notable speeches was after the Dunkirk evacuation, where he summed up the bravery of soldiers with profound simplicity. This ability not just inspired the British public but also bolstered international support for the Allied forces. As the war came to an end, Churchill continued to sum up the lessons learned in various forums, ensuring that the hard-fought peace would usher in a new era of cooperation. Churchill's legacy is, in part, defined by his ability to sum up complex realities, offering a clear vision for the future.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Sum Up

What is the origin of sum up?

The phrasal verb 'sum up' originates from the mathematical term 'sum', meaning to total, and has been used metaphorically since the 18th century to mean summarizing information.

Can sum up be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Sum up' is versatile and can be used in both formal settings, like reports or presentations, and informal conversations, making it a useful phrase for summarizing points across different situations.

What is the difference between sum up and summarize?

While 'sum up' and 'summarize' are synonymous, 'sum up' is often more informal and conversational, frequently used in spoken dialogue, whereas 'summarize' is more formal and typically used in written contexts.

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

SUM UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Sum Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega