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 'Knock Down': Definition & Usage

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'knock down' means to hit or demolish something forcefully, usually leading to its collapse or fall. It can refer to objects, buildings, or even metaphorically to situations.

Examples in context

The contractor decided to knock down the unstable building for public safety.
Her constant criticism knocked down his confidence over time.
In the game, players have to knock down obstacles to advance to the next level.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'knock down' means to hit or demolish something forcefully, usually leading to its collapse or fall. It can refer to objects, buildings, or even metaphorically to situations.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can separate the verb and particle, e.g., 'knock the building down.'

Neutral

Commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object, such as a structure or entity.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	knock down	The kids knock down the block tower during playtime.
Past Simple	knocked down	The storm knocked down several trees last night.
Present Continuous	knocking down	They are knocking down the old library to build a new one.
Present Perfect	have knocked down	We have knocked down the faulty wall for safety reasons.

💡 When to Use

Describing demolition events

Use this phrasal verb when talking about demolishing or destroying structures or objects, often with significant impact.

Example: "The city council plans to knock down the old stadium next year."

Accidental occurrences

Use it when describing unintended destruction or toppling of objects due to accidents or errors.

Example: "He accidentally knocked down the vase while reaching for a book."

Metaphorical use

Apply it metaphorically to describe situations where plans or ideas are disrupted or fail.

Example: "Their innovative idea was knocked down due to budget constraints."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect particle usage

❌ Wrong: He knocked over the wall.

✅ Correct: He knocked down the wall.

💡 Tip: Remember: 'down' is used for complete collapse.

Ignoring separable nature

❌ Wrong: They knocked the tower.

✅ Correct: They knocked the tower down.

💡 Tip: Insert objects between the verb and particle when necessary.

Using incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: They are knock down the building.

✅ Correct: They are knocking down the building.

💡 Tip: Use the correct progressive form in ongoing actions.

Practice

KNOCK DOWN - 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 contractor decided to knock down the unstable building for public safety.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Her constant criticism knocked down his confidence over time.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

In the game, players have to knock down obstacles to advance to the next level.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

demolish destroy

Antonyms

build

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The wind was so strong it ___ many of the weaker structures."

build

knock down

support

lift

"When life knocks you down, it's the stand that rebuilds the spirit and strengthens the journey forward, transcending every fall into victory."

In Context

In 1906, San Francisco experienced a tremendous earthquake that knocked down many buildings, changing the urban landscape forever. Before dawn on April 18th, residents awoke to violent tremors. Structures across the city fell as entire blocks collapsed into piles of brick and debris. Historic buildings, once architectural marvels, were reduced to rubble. Amid the chaos, the people of San Francisco faced the daunting task of rebuilding their beloved city. Teams of firefighters and volunteers worked tirelessly, often risking their lives, to rescue trapped citizens from beneath the knocked down structures. Despite these efforts, the subsequent fires posed additional threats, raging uncontrollably due to knocked down gas lines. Throughout the catastrophe, the resilience of San Franciscans shone brightly. In response, the city quickly implemented stricter building codes and safety measures to prevent future disasters. Within a decade, San Francisco emerged stronger, with a skyline that symbolized its perseverance. This transformative period serves as a testament to the human spirit's ability to rebuild and thrive, even when knocked down by adversity.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Knock Down

What is the origin of knock down?

The term 'knock down' dates back to the early 19th century as a boxing term for hitting an opponent to the ground. It evolved into everyday language, signifying the act of forcefully bringing something to the ground or disrupting plans.

Can knock down be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'knock down' is versatile, applicable in both formal contexts (like engineering reports) and informal scenarios (such as casual conversations), given its neutrality and clarity in describing demolition or disruption.

What is the difference between knock down and demolish?

'Knock down' implies a forceful toppling, often in one stroke, of structures or objects. 'Demolish' suggests a systematic, complete destruction and removal, often with detailed planning and execution for structures.

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

KNOCK DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Knock Down

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega