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: Fall Through

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'fall through' means for a plan or project not to succeed, not to happen, or to fail unexpectedly, despite initial intentions.

Examples in context

Our plan to travel to Greece fell through due to passport issues.
Despite lengthy discussions, the merger between the two companies fell through.
After months of anticipation, the festival plans fell through at the last moment.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'fall through' means for a plan or project not to succeed, not to happen, or to fail unexpectedly, despite initial intentions.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

This phrasal verb cannot be separated by its object.

Neutral

It can be used in both formal and informal situations.

Transitive

This phrasal verb does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	fall through	Our vacation plans fall through every year, to our dismay.
Past Simple	fell through	The business deal fell through at the last minute.
Present Continuous	falling through	The proposal is falling through because of funding issues.
Present Perfect	have fallen through	Several attempts have fallen through due to unforeseen circumstances.

💡 When to Use

Project fails unexpectedly

Use this when a project, agreement, or plan does not succeed as intended, often due to unforeseen factors.

Example: "The merger fell through because of legal complications."

Missed opportunities

Apply it when an opportunity did not materialize or proceed as planned, despite initial optimism.

Example: "The concert's organization fell through due to low ticket sales."

Canceled plans

When events or plans are canceled, often suddenly, and do not come to fruition as agreed.

Example: "The family reunion fell through after several members could not attend."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using with a direct object

❌ Wrong: The plans fell through the meeting.

✅ Correct: The plans for the meeting fell through.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'fall through' does not require a direct object.

Confusing with 'fall over'

❌ Wrong: The news of the cancellation fell over.

✅ Correct: The news of the cancellation fell through.

💡 Tip: Use 'fall through' for plans that fail, not 'fall over'.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: The project is fall through.

✅ Correct: The project is falling through.

💡 Tip: Ensure proper tense for continuous actions.

Practice

FALL THROUGH - 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

Our plan to travel to Greece fell through due to passport issues.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Despite lengthy discussions, the merger between the two companies fell through.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

After months of anticipation, the festival plans fell through at the last moment.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

collapse fail

Antonyms

succeed

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Despite careful planning, the event ___ at the last minute."

fell over

fall through

fell

fell in

"When plans fall through, wisdom emerges, guiding us to paths unseen and granting insight into the unforeseen beauty of life’s journey."

In Context

In the late 16th century, Sir Walter Raleigh, an ambitious English explorer and nobleman, sought the fabled city of El Dorado, believed to be brimming with untold riches in South America. Raleigh's first expedition in 1595 aimed to secure the wealth of the legendary city to boost England’s prospects against Spain. He, along with a carefully selected crew, voyaged tirelessly up the Orinoco River. However, the plans began to fall through when they encountered naturally challenging terrain, fierce native tribes, and the harsh realities of the jungle. Despite Raleigh’s determination and charisma, the expedition yielded no gold, as El Dorado remained an elusive dream. Morale diminished, and Raleigh returned to England empty-handed but undeterred. Undeterred by the failure, Raleigh organized a second voyage in 1617. He was older but no less resolute, hoping to build on his previous experiences near the Orinoco. Yet, once again, circumstances conspired against him. Key alliances fell through as supply issues plagued them, and the Spanish forces, wary of England's motives, threatened conflict. Facing insurmountable odds and repeated setbacks, Raleigh's hopes for discovering El Dorado ultimately fell through. Captured upon his return, he faced trial for violating peace treaties and was executed in 1618. Raleigh's endeavors, despite falling through, left a legacy of curiosity and exploration.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fall Through

What is the origin of fall through?

The phrase 'fall through' likely originated from the physical action of something falling through a gap, symbolizing failure to hold or complete, dating back to the 19th century in English usage.

Can fall through be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'fall through' can be used in both formal and informal contexts as a neutral term, making it suitable for professional settings and everyday conversations.

What is the difference between fall through and collapse?

'Fall through' refers to plans failing or not being completed, often due to unforeseen factors, while 'collapse' implies a structural or complete failure, often used more dramatically.

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

FALL THROUGH - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fall Through

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega