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 'Wait Out': Definition, Usage, and Examples

📖 Definition

To wait out means to remain in a place or endure a situation until a certain event or period has passed or conditions improve.

Examples in context

The hikers stayed in the cabin to wait out the snowstorm safely.
Farmers often have to wait out dry spells patiently.
She decided to wait out the traffic jam instead of taking a detour.

📖 Definition

To wait out means to remain in a place or endure a situation until a certain event or period has passed or conditions improve.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can place a noun between 'wait' and 'out'.

Neutral

Used in both informal and formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object to indicate what is being waited out.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	wait out	We wait out the storm in the basement.
Past Simple	waited out	They waited out the rain before continuing their journey.
Present Continuous	waiting out	She is waiting out her quarantine period at home.
Present Perfect	have waited out	He has waited out the winter in the mountains.

💡 When to Use

During adverse conditions

Use when circumstances are unfavorable, and patience is required to see an end to the challenges.

Example: "They decided to wait out the storm rather than risk driving in it."

Enduring unpleasant events

Employ when events are challenging or unpleasant, and endurance is necessary until they conclude.

Example: "We had to wait out the lockdown before resuming our travel plans."

Avoiding hasty actions

Use when patience is needed to avoid rash actions until a situation changes or resolves itself.

Example: "He chose to wait out his decision until he had more information."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect separation

❌ Wrong: Wait the storm out.

✅ Correct: Wait out the storm.

💡 Tip: Place the noun right after 'out' for clarity.

Using intransitively

❌ Wrong: We decided to wait out.

✅ Correct: We decided to wait out the traffic.

💡 Tip: Always specify what you're waiting out.

Confusing tense

❌ Wrong: We waits out the cold.

✅ Correct: We wait out the cold.

💡 Tip: Ensure subject-verb agreement in the present tense.

Practice

WAIT 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 hikers stayed in the cabin to wait out the snowstorm safely.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Farmers often have to wait out dry spells patiently.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

She decided to wait out the traffic jam instead of taking a detour.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

endure weather

Antonyms

rush

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Despite the harsh weather, the sailors decided to ___ out the storm at sea."

endure

wait out

finish

"To truly understand patience, one must learn to wait out life's tempests without losing hope or deviating from the righteous path."

In Context

During World War I, soldiers in the trenches had to develop an extraordinary ability to wait out the daily dangers they faced. These men, facing constant threats from artillery and gas attacks, had to remain vigilant while buried in mud and barbed wire. The infamous Battle of the Somme began in July 1916, and soldiers were ordered to wait out the artillery barrage before launching an attack. This strategy was intended to weaken the enemy, yet the reality of war was far more chaotic and brutal than anticipated. As the weeks turned into months, the soldiers' impatience and fears grew, yet they continued to wait out the shellings, hoping for a breakthrough or end to the conflict. Letters from the frontlines often mentioned the struggle to wait out these dire conditions, longing for news from home or a simple change in routine. Despite the horrific conditions, camaraderie and gallows humor often helped soldiers wait out the long, harrowing days. The battle eventually concluded in November with heavy casualties, and those who survived carried the lessons of endurance and patience into their future lives, having literally lived through the need to wait out the war's harshest moments.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Wait Out

What is the origin of wait out?

The phrase 'wait out' likely originates from the military, where troops often had to endure unfavorable conditions until orders or weather changed.

Can wait out be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'wait out' can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile in daily language and official communications.

What is the difference between wait out and endure?

'Wait out' implies waiting for a situation to change, suggesting a temporary state, while 'endure' encompasses a longer-term persistence during challenging circumstances.

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

WAIT OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Wait Out

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega