Come up and crop up mean a problem appears, often suddenly; come across means find something by chance.
When a problem appears
Not ""A problem came before the event." (no particle, so it only means arrived earlier)" — say ""A problem came up before the event."". The particle makes the meaning: come up means appear, but come alone does not.
Try it: Mateo: Why are you rereading last year's report? Ira: I ___ a mistake in it that nobody noticed before. Choose the words for the blank. (came across / came up / cropped up) Answer: came across — Come across means find by chance, and it takes an object: came across a mistake.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
come up
/kʌm ʌp/
A problem came up before the event at Senville Park.
crop up
/krɑp ʌp/
Technical problems cropped up during the online lesson.
come across
/kʌm əˈkrɔːs/
Mei came across an old photo inside a library book.
Finding a solution
Work out and figure out mean find the answer; sort out means fix a mess; come up with means think of an idea or plan.
Not ""Diego worked why the file would not open." (no particle)" — say ""Diego worked out why the file would not open."". You work out an answer; out is part of the verb.
Try it: Mateo: Is the app still freezing? Ira: No. Hiroshi studied the code for an hour and ___ why. Choose the words for the blank. (figured out / came across / cropped up) Answer: figured out — Figure out means find the answer by thinking about it.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
work out
/wɜːrk aʊt/
Sofia worked out a way to reduce the waiting time.
figure out
/ˈfɪɡjər aʊt/
Yasmin figured out what caused the mistake.
sort out
/sɔːrt aʊt/
Farid sorted out the mix-up with the room booking.
come up with
/kʌm ʌp wɪð/
Mateo came up with a clever plan for the fair.
Meeting a problem you did not expect
Run into means meet a problem or person unexpectedly and takes an object; break down means stop working, like a machine.
Not ""The van broke outside Mosh Market." (no particle, so it means damaged)" — say ""The van broke down outside Mosh Market."". Break down means stop working; break alone means damaged or in pieces.
Try it: Ira: Why didn't the bus tour leave on time? Mateo: The driver ___ some trouble with the tickets. Choose the words for the blank. (ran into / cropped up / came up) Answer: ran into — Run into means meet a problem unexpectedly, and it takes an object.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
run into
/ˌrʌn ˈɪntuː/
Yasmin ran into a problem with the booking system.
break down
/ˌbreɪk ˈdaʊn/
The delivery van broke down outside Mosh Market.
Handling a problem rather than solving it
Deal with means take action on a problem; cope with means manage a hard situation without being overwhelmed.
Not ""The manager dealt the complaints." (with is missing)" — say ""The manager dealt with the complaints."". Deal with keeps with before the problem.
Try it: Ira: Two people at the front desk want to complain about the class times. Ethan: I'll ___ them. You finish setting up the room. Choose the words for the blank. (deal with / come up / work out) Answer: deal with — Deal with means take action on something that needs attention.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
deal with
/ˈdiːl wɪð/
The manager dealt with the complaints from the morning shift.
cope with
/ˈkoʊp wɪð/
Lani coped with three deadlines in one week.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
"A problem came before the event." (no particle, so it only means arrived earlier)
"A problem came up before the event."
The particle makes the meaning: come up means appear, but come alone does not.
"Diego worked why the file would not open." (no particle)
"Diego worked out why the file would not open."
You work out an answer; out is part of the verb.
"The van broke outside Mosh Market." (no particle, so it means damaged)
"The van broke down outside Mosh Market."
Break down means stop working; break alone means damaged or in pieces.
"The manager dealt the complaints." (with is missing)