How to say “come up with” like a native speaker
Produce an idea, answer or plan. It usually describes thinking of something rather than physically bringing an object.
All phrases · Workplace
Hear “come up with” in real speech
Clip 1 · Bill Gates
Innovating to zero! | Bill Gates · 8:09
About this video
Bill Gates talks about energy, climate and the need to reduce emissions. He explains why climate changes affect people living in poverty and discusses possible energy technologies, including a nuclear-fuel idea.
In context
It really got them involved in the idea of, you know, there are people who live with mosquitoes.With energy, all I could come up with is this.
I decided that releasing fireflies would be my contribution to the environment here this year.
Clip 2 · Learn English with Bob the Canadian
Let's Learn English! Topic: What is That Thing? 📢📼🧲 (Lesson Only) · 0:53
About this video
Bob the Canadian teaches the English names of everyday objects he noticed over several days. His examples include curtain rods, hanging baskets and rain barrels.
In context
Because that's the question you would ask if you didn't know what it was.Crocs. So people wonder where I come up with the ideas for my lessons.
In my past lesson this week, I was wearing my Crocs.
Clip 3 · Chris Bailey
How to Get Your Brain to Focus | Chris Bailey | TEDxManchester · 11:21
About this video
Chris Bailey describes noticing how much of his day he spent looking at screens. He discusses experiments in reducing stimulation and how these affected his focus and the ideas that came to him.
In context
I was knitting in the hotel room before this event today because it helps calm you down, it helps settle your nerves.And I come up with so many ideas when I knit, I have a notepad next to me.
But whatever it is for you - it might be taking that extra long shower, it might be taking a bath,
When to use “come up with”
- Planning a school event: “Can you come up with a theme for the party?”
- Reporting a solution: “We've come up with a way to save space.”
Common learner mistake
Keep “with” before the idea or solution: “come up with a plan”, not “come up a plan”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “come up with”
Link “come” into “up”, then keep “with” lighter than the main idea that follows. “With” may end in voiced or unvoiced TH depending on the speaker.
Related phrases
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A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
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