crop up

USAGE SUMMARY

"crop up" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to mean "appear unexpectedly or unexpectedly become relevant or important". For example, "I hadn't planned on the problem cropping up again during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It just didn't crop up".

The New York Times - Magazine

Touches of Churchill memorabilia crop up, too.

Independent

Sometimes conflicting personalities crop up within companies.

The Economist

But problems crop up right away.

The New York Times - Arts

"Those things won't crop up overnight".

The New York Times

Such cases crop up daily.

The New York Times

What crisis would crop up?

The Guardian

Legal questions crop up, too.

The New York Times - Science

Cars crop up twice as important symbols.

The Guardian - Music

Odd coincidence this should crop up today.

The Guardian

New charity funds crop up daily.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crop up" to describe issues, problems, or topics that arise without warning, adding a touch of surprise to the narrative.

Common error

While versatile, "crop up" is slightly informal. In highly formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "arise" or "emerge" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "crop up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating that something appears or occurs unexpectedly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe situations or problems that arise without warning, adding an element of surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crop up" is a phrasal verb used to describe the unexpected appearance or occurrence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to use more formal alternatives like "arise" or "emerge" in academic or highly professional contexts. It's also important to avoid misusing the phrase in very formal writing to maintain a professional tone. Related phrases include "arise unexpectedly" and "emerge suddenly", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. The phrase conveys unpredictability or surprise, emphasizing the unforeseen nature of the event. Be mindful of the context and desired level of formality when using "crop up" to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arise unexpectedly

Emphasizes the unforeseen nature of the occurrence, focusing on the lack of anticipation.

emerge suddenly

Highlights the abruptness of the appearance, suggesting a quick and noticeable entrance.

pop up

An informal synonym, indicating a quick and often surprising appearance.

surface unexpectedly

Implies that something previously hidden is now becoming visible or known.

materialize out of nowhere

Suggests a mysterious or unexplained appearance, emphasizing the lack of prior indication.

come to light

Focuses on the revelation or discovery of something previously unknown or concealed.

present itself

Describes the occurrence of an opportunity or situation that becomes available.

spring up

Indicates a rapid and often prolific emergence or growth.

become apparent

Emphasizes the increasing visibility or obviousness of something.

develop unexpectedly

Highlights the unplanned and surprising nature of an event's progression.

FAQs

How can I use "crop up" in a sentence?

Use "crop up" to indicate that something appears or happens unexpectedly. For example, "We'll finish the project on time if no problems "crop up"".

What's a more formal alternative to "crop up"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "arise unexpectedly" or "emerge suddenly" instead of "crop up".

Is "crop up" appropriate for academic writing?

While "crop up" is generally acceptable, using more formal vocabulary like "surface unexpectedly" might be more suitable for academic contexts.

What does it mean when something "crops up"?

When something "crops up", it means that it appears or occurs unexpectedly. It suggests a sudden or unforeseen occurrence.