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 'Scramble Over': Meaning & Usage

📖 Definition

To 'scramble over' means to climb or move quickly over something using both hands and feet, often with difficulty. It implies overcoming obstacles with effort and urgency, requiring physical or metaphorical maneuvering.

Examples in context

The children delightedly scrambled over the jungle gym at the park.
We scrambled over years of economic hardship to finally succeed.
Neighbors helped each other scramble over the wreckage post-earthquake.

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'scramble' and 'over' or after both.

Neutral

Can be used in both spoken and written contexts without formality constraints.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to indicate what is being scrambled over.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	scramble over	They scramble over the rocky terrain daily.
Past Simple	scrambled over	Yesterday, we scrambled over fallen trees after the storm.
Present Continuous	scrambling over	He is scrambling over hurdles in his career.
Present Perfect	have scrambled over	We have scrambled over many obstacles to be here.

💡 When to Use

Describing physical efforts

Used to depict someone moving over obstacles, emphasizing the physical effort involved in climbing or traversing.

Example: "The hikers had to scramble over loose rocks on their trek."

Overcoming metaphorical challenges

Can describe overcoming non-physical obstacles, like difficulties in life or work, with determination and effort.

Example: "He scrambled over numerous setbacks to achieve success."

Urgent or hurried actions

Used when quick or desperate movement is necessary, usually indicating a sense of urgency or emergency.

Example: "In their haste, they scrambled over the fallen debris."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: He scrambled on the wall.

✅ Correct: He scrambled over the wall.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'scramble' typically pairs with 'over' for climbing.

Omitting the object

❌ Wrong: She scrambled to get to the top.

✅ Correct: She scrambled over the rocks to get to the top.

💡 Tip: Always specify what is being scrambled over.

Confusing transitivity

❌ Wrong: He scrambled.

✅ Correct: He scrambled over the challenges.

💡 Tip: Ensure there's an object indicating the obstacle.

Practice

SCRAMBLE OVER - 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 children delightedly scrambled over the jungle gym at the park.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

We scrambled over years of economic hardship to finally succeed.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Neighbors helped each other scramble over the wreckage post-earthquake.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

clamber over scale

Antonyms

descend

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"When the alarm sounded, they had to quickly ___ over the barriers."

walked

scramble over

jumped

sprinted

"In life, we often scramble over obstacles, learning resilience and persistence in the midst of challenges to reach new heights."

In Context

In the early 20th century, explorer Ernest Shackleton led the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, aiming to traverse Antarctica. When Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, was trapped and crushed by ice, survival became paramount. The crew had no choice but to scramble over treacherous ice flows, dragging lifeboats towards the open sea. This herculean effort saw men scrambling over each icy ridge with determination, as they battled cold and exhaustion. As the days went on, Shackleton inspired his crew not to falter, stating they must scramble over every new obstacle the ice presented. After weeks at sea, they finally reached the uninhabited Elephant Island. Despite the monumental task ahead, Shackleton continued encouraging his men to scramble over their fears and uncertain future. Ultimately, Shackleton and a few others set off in a small lifeboat, journeying 800 miles to South Georgia Island. Upon their return with a rescue party, all men were saved, testament to their indomitable spirit and readiness to scramble over any challenge nature presented.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Scramble Over

What is the origin of scramble over?

The term 'scramble' dates back to the 17th century where it initially meant to struggle for possession, evolving to include physical climbing or maneuvering later.

Can scramble over be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'scramble over' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings, as it conveys both literal climbing and metaphorical struggles.

What is the difference between scramble over and clamber over?

'Scramble over' often implies more urgency and effort compared to 'clamber over', which suggests a somewhat slower, albeit still difficult, ascent.

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

SCRAMBLE OVER - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Scramble Over

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega