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

Filter Out: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

📖 Definition

Filter out means to identify and remove unwanted elements or impurities from a larger group, achieving clarity or purity by exclusion.

Examples in context

The air purifier is designed to filter out harmful particles efficiently.
Teachers often filter out unnecessary details to maintain students’ focus.
She used her skills to filter out valuable insights from the noise.

📖 Definition

Filter out means to identify and remove unwanted elements or impurities from a larger group, achieving clarity or purity by exclusion.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between the verb and the particle or after the particle.

Neutral

Suitable for both casual and formal contexts, widely understood.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	filter out	Scientists filter out impurities in the water sample.
Past Simple	filtered out	He filtered out the noise to focus on the task.
Present Continuous	filtering out	They are filtering out spam emails.
Present Perfect	have filtered out	We have filtered out incorrect data from the report.

💡 When to Use

Cleaning or purifying substances

Use when removing unwanted elements from physical substances, like water or air, to ensure purity.

Example: "She used a sieve to filter out the coffee grounds."

Identifying relevant information

Apply in contexts where valuable data or information needs extraction from a larger, cluttered dataset.

Example: "The program filters out duplicate entries before processing."

Ignoring distractions

Use when focusing on important tasks by removing mental or physical distractions from your environment.

Example: "He managed to filter out noise to concentrate on writing his novel."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect particle placement

❌ Wrong: Filter the sand out.

✅ Correct: Filter out the sand.

💡 Tip: Place 'out' after 'filter' for clarity.

Using an intransitive construction

❌ Wrong: He filtered out.

✅ Correct: He filtered out irrelevant data.

💡 Tip: Always include what is being filtered.

Omitting necessary object

❌ Wrong: We filtered out.

✅ Correct: We filtered out unwanted emails.

💡 Tip: Specify what is being filtered out.

Practice

FILTER OUT - 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

The air purifier is designed to filter out harmful particles efficiently.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Teachers often filter out unnecessary details to maintain students’ focus.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

She used her skills to filter out valuable insights from the noise.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

remove eliminate

Antonyms

include

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The system is designed to ___ out irrelevant information."

fill

filter out

place

choose

"In life's complexity, one must filter out distractions to find clarity and purpose in the simplest truths dwelling within."

In Context

During World War II, the British government relied heavily on intelligence to gain an upper hand. Among the key figures was Alan Turing, whose work in deciphering the Nazi Enigma code was crucial. Turing and his team at Bletchley Park had to filter out vast amounts of noise in intercepted messages to find meaningful intelligence. Through meticulous work, they developed the Bombe machine to automate this process, filtering out irrelevant permutations. This breakthrough allowed the Allies to anticipate German military actions, changing the war's course. Turing tirelessly worked, often exhausting himself to ensure nothing crucial slipped through. While his remarkable achievements started gaining recognition, the pressure of secrecy loomed large, filtering out public knowledge of his contributions. After the war, Turing's work was declassified long after his tragic death. His success in filtering out vital intelligence paved the way for modern computing and cryptography, highlighting his genius and dedication. His legacy, preserved through technology, continues influencing today's digital world. The arduous process of filtering out essential data from irrelevant information was key to altering history, making Turing an unsung hero of the 20th century.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Filter Out

What is the origin of filter out?

The term 'filter' derives from the Latin 'filtrum,' meaning felt, originally used to describe cloth used for purifying liquid. The phrasal verb 'filter out' emerged from this concept, extending its application to removing unwanted elements from both physical substances and abstract data.

Can filter out be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Filter out' is versatile, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it can describe technical processes like data sorting or purification. In informal usage, it often refers to focusing by ignoring distractions, making it widely adaptable in conversation.

What is the difference between filter out and remove?

While both 'filter out' and 'remove' imply elimination, 'filter out' often indicates a selective removal process from a mix or group, usually aiming for purity or clarity. 'Remove' is more generic, applying broadly to any act of taking something away without specificity on the method.

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

FILTER OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Filter Out

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega