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

Understanding the Phrasal Verb 'Eat Away'

📖 Definition

'Eat away' means gradually erode or diminish something. It implies a slow, persistent deterioration or wearing away of an object, emotion, or quality over time.

Examples in context

Time continues to eat away at the once majestic castle walls.
Doubts began to eat away at her conviction to pursue the project.
Saltwater corrosion is eating away at the bridge's metal supports.

📖 Definition

'Eat away' means gradually erode or diminish something. It implies a slow, persistent deterioration or wearing away of an object, emotion, or quality over time.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can insert a pronoun or noun between 'eat' and 'away.'

Neutral

Used in both casual and professional settings without formality constraints.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object that is being eaten away.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	eat away	Stress eats away at his confidence daily.
Past Simple	ate away	Time ate away the old books in the attic.
Present Continuous	eating away	The worries are eating away at her peace of mind.
Present Perfect	have eaten away	Years of neglect have eaten away the castle walls.

💡 When to Use

Describing gradual damage

This is used when something is slowly causing deterioration, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical.

Example: "The rust is eating away at the car."

Discussing long-term erosion

Use this for situations where a slow process is wearing something down over an extended period.

Example: "The sea continues to eat away at the shoreline."

Expressing emotional distress

This phrasal verb describes the process of mental or emotional factors causing distress that accumulates over time.

Example: "Guilt was eating away at him after the argument."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using it in non-erosion context

❌ Wrong: She eats away her homework quickly.

✅ Correct: She completed her homework quickly.

💡 Tip: Remember: 'eat away' involves gradual, not swift, decline.

Misplacing object pronoun

❌ Wrong: Eat away it.

✅ Correct: Eat it away.

💡 Tip: If separable, place pronouns between 'eat' and 'away'.

Using for immediate actions

❌ Wrong: The cat eats away the treat immediately.

✅ Correct: The cat eats the treat immediately.

💡 Tip: Avoid using for instant actions; it's for gradual processes.

Practice

EAT AWAY - 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

Time continues to eat away at the once majestic castle walls.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Doubts began to eat away at her conviction to pursue the project.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Saltwater corrosion is eating away at the bridge's metal supports.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

erode corrode

Antonyms

restore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Years of neglect began to ___ at the historic building."

devour

eat away

construct

enhance

"When worries eat away at happiness, strengthen your soul with resilience and hope to reclaim peace and joy within yourself."

In Context

The sinking of the RMS Titanic in April 1912 remains one of history’s most tragic maritime disasters. As water began to eat away at the great ship, it soon became clear that the 'unsinkable' vessel was doomed. Harvey Robertson, a first-class passenger, watched in horror as the ocean ate away at the once majestic liner. Passengers scrambled for lifeboats, the icy Atlantic air eating away at their hope. Robertson clung to life as the Titanic's structure was incessantly eaten away by the cold sea. This relentless process continued until the ship finally disappeared beneath the waves, claiming over 1,500 lives. In the aftermath, survivors, including Robertson, would tell tales of that dreadful night, where nature's forces literally ate away at human overconfidence and engineering hubris. The event led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations, like increased lifeboat numbers, emphasizing how tragedy can eat away at ignorance, paving the way for safer futures.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Eat Away

What is the origin of eat away?

The origin of 'eat away' dates back to Middle English, where 'eat' was used metaphorically to describe gradual destruction much like physical consumption, with 'away' emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action.

Can eat away be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Eat away' is versatile, fitting both formal and informal contexts as it is a neutral expression, suitable for literature and casual conversation, emphasizing a persistent or gradual process of erosion or emotional distress.

What is the difference between eat away and erode?

Both 'eat away' and 'erode' describe gradual destruction, but 'eat away' is more often used metaphorically or emotionally, while 'erode' typically refers to physical wearing down, often tied to geological or structural contexts.

Browse All National Parks 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

EAT AWAY - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Eat Away

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega