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 'Account For'

“To account for the past is to understand the present, for only through acknowledgment can one find growth and wisdom in life.”

📖 Definition

Account for means to explain or justify the cause, reason, or presence of something. It involves providing details or reasons for an occurrence.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb cannot be split from the preposition.

Neutral

It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

The verb requires a direct object to express a complete idea.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	account for	The report must account for all discrepancies.
Past Simple	accounted for	She accounted for her absence with a valid excuse.
Present Continuous	accounting for	They are accounting for all expenditures.
Present Perfect	have accounted for	We have accounted for every item in the inventory.

💡 When to Use

Explaining reasons for actions

When you need to justify or explain the reasons behind an action or event, use 'account for' to provide clarity.

Example: “He had to account for his decision to leave.”

Providing explanations in reports

When writing reports that require explanations for data, use 'account for' to detail the sources and reasons.

Example: “The manager must account for the sudden increase in sales.”

Clarifying presence of items

Use 'account for' when listing or confirming the presence of items, ensuring nothing is unaccounted for.

Example: “All employees were accounted for after the drill.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: We must account on all changes.

✅ Correct: We must account for all changes.

💡 Tip: Remember to use 'for' after 'account'.

Omitting the object

❌ Wrong: Can you account for?

✅ Correct: Can you account for the missing funds?

💡 Tip: Always specify what you are accounting for.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: She account for it yesterday.

✅ Correct: She accounted for it yesterday.

💡 Tip: Use the past tense 'accounted' for past actions.

Practice

ACCOUNT FOR – 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 manager must account for the decline in productivity this quarter.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Their research aimed to account for the variations in climate data over several decades.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Every student needs to account for their own learning outcomes.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

explain justify

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“In your report, please ___ for any discrepancies in the data.”

count on

account for

look for

turn in

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Account For

What is the origin of account for?

The phrase 'account for' originated in the financial world, where keeping accounts of transactions was essential. Over time, the term evolved to mean explaining or justifying any occurrence in various contexts beyond finance, such as when offering explanations in personal or professional scenarios.

Can account for be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'account for' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it's often seen in reports and official statements. In informal contexts, it may describe everyday explanations or clarifications, maintaining its versatility across situations requiring justification.

What is the difference between account for and explain?

'Account for' indicates providing a reason and justification, often including details and context. 'Explain' is broader, simply meaning to make something clear or comprehensible. While both can be used interchangeably, 'account for' usually implies a more detailed justification than 'explain'.

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