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

Think Up: Definition and Historical Examples

"In the realm of creativity, the mind's ability to think up solutions transforms the ordinary into extraordinary, bridging imagination and reality."

📖 Definition

To invent or devise something new, particularly an idea, plan, or solution, often through creative thought or brainstorming.

Examples in context

He always manages to think up an escape plan in difficult situations.
The team had to think up alternatives quickly after the primary option failed.
She thought up a captivating storyline for her new book over coffee.

📖 Definition

To invent or devise something new, particularly an idea, plan, or solution, often through creative thought or brainstorming.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can come between 'think' and 'up'.

Neutral

Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	think up	She can always think up a clever strategy on the spot.
Past Simple	thought up	He thought up an ingenious way to solve the puzzle.
Present Continuous	thinking up	They are thinking up ideas for the next project.
Present Perfect	have thought up	We have thought up several solutions for the problem.

💡 When to Use

creative brainstorming sessions

Use 'think up' when devising new ideas or solutions in creative settings. It emphasizes originality and innovation.

Example: "During our meeting, we need to think up innovative marketing strategies."

problem-solving

When faced with challenges, use 'think up' to express generating solutions. It suggests active engagement in the thought process.

Example: "The engineer had to think up a way to fix the machine."

artistic creation

Use 'think up' in artistic contexts when composing or scripting new works. It implies imaginative thinking.

Example: "The writer thought up a compelling plot for her next novel."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

wrong verb usage

❌ Wrong: He thinks on a new idea.

✅ Correct: He thinks up a new idea.

💡 Tip: Use 'up' with 'think' to indicate creation.

missing object

❌ Wrong: She thought up yesterday.

✅ Correct: She thought up an idea yesterday.

💡 Tip: Always include an object with 'think up'.

incorrect position of object

❌ Wrong: Think the plan up.

✅ Correct: Think up the plan.

💡 Tip: Place the object after 'think up' for clarity.

Practice

THINK 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

He always manages to think up an escape plan in difficult situations.
Voices Across Distance
2
Listen to example

The team had to think up alternatives quickly after the primary option failed.
Voices Across Distance
3
Listen to example

She thought up a captivating storyline for her new book over coffee.
Voices Across Distance

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

devise invent

Antonyms

forget

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Can you ___ a better idea for the presentation?"

think over

think up

think across

think about

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Think Up

What is the origin of think up?

The phrase 'think up' likely originated from common English expressions, emphasizing the creation of ideas. It combines 'think', meaning to consider, and 'up', implying emergence or upward movement, suggesting bringing an idea into existence.

Can think up be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Think up' is flexible, fitting both formal and informal contexts. In professional settings, it's used to describe problem-solving, while casually, it’s employed for everyday creativity.

What is the difference between think up and devise?

While both suggest creating ideas, 'think up' often implies spontaneous or casual creation, while 'devise' suggests a more systematic, deliberate process, often requiring detailed planning.

Browse All Voices Across Distance 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

THINK UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Think Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega