Fall out with means argue and stop being friendly; break up with means end a romantic relationship; sort out means fix a problem.
When relationships go wrong
Not ""Sofia fell with her classmate." (the particle is missing)" — say ""Sofia fell out with her classmate."". Fall out with needs both parts; with introduces the person.
Try it: Ira: Are Lars and Diego still angry with each other? Mateo: No, they talked it over and managed to ___ the disagreement. Choose the words for the blank. (sort out / fall out with / break up with) Answer: sort out — Sort out means fix a problem or a disagreement.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
fall out with
/ˌfɔːl ˈaʊt wɪð/
Sofia fell out with her classmate over the project plan.
break up with
/breɪk ʌp wɪð/
She broke up with him by text message.
sort out
/sɔːrt aʊt/
The friends met at Ghafridge Cafe to sort out the misunderstanding.
Getting along and admiring
Get along with someone means have a friendly relationship; look up to someone means admire them; look down on someone means think you are better.
Not ""Mei gets along everyone in her group." (with is missing)" — say ""Mei gets along with everyone in her group."". Get along with keeps with before the person.
Try it: Ira: Maya has a poster of that famous designer above her desk. Mateo: She really ___ her. She wants to be just like her one day. Choose the words for the blank. (looks up to / doesn't get along with / breaks up with) Answer: looks up to — Look up to means admire and respect someone.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
get along with
/ɡet əˈlɔŋ wɪð/
Mei gets along with everyone in her study group.
get along well with
/ˌɡet əˌlɔŋ ˈwel wɪð/
Yasmin gets along well with everyone in her yoga class.
look up to
/ˌlʊk ˈʌp tuː/
Many students look up to Amina because she listens carefully.
look down on
/lʊk daʊn ɑn/
Good coaches never look down on slow runners.
Staying close and standing by
Catch up with someone means meet after a long time and share news; stand by someone means stay loyal when they are in trouble.
Not ""Amina caught an old classmate at the cafe." (no particles, so she physically caught her)" — say ""Amina caught up with an old classmate at the cafe."". Catch up with means meet and share news after time apart.
Try it: Mateo: Why are you having lunch with Lani? Ira: We haven't talked for months, so we want to ___ each other. Choose the words for the blank. (catch up with / look up to / take after) Answer: catch up with — Catch up with someone means meet after a long time and share news.
Try it: Ira: Did people believe the rumor about Wei? Mateo: No. His friends ___ him until the truth came out. Choose the words for the blank. (stood by / took after / caught up with) Answer: stood by — Stand by someone means stay loyal and support them in trouble.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
catch up with
/ˌkætʃ ʌp ˈwɪð/
Amina caught up with an old classmate at Ghafridge Cafe.
stand by
/ˌstænd ˈbaɪ/
Farid stood by his friend during a difficult year.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
"Sofia fell with her classmate." (the particle is missing)
"Sofia fell out with her classmate."
Fall out with needs both parts; with introduces the person.
"Mei gets along everyone in her group." (with is missing)
"Mei gets along with everyone in her group."
Get along with keeps with before the person.
"Amina caught an old classmate at the cafe." (no particles, so she physically caught her)
"Amina caught up with an old classmate at the cafe."
Catch up with means meet and share news after time apart.