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 'Pin Down'

"In life's complexities, only when you pin down your purpose can clarity guide your unwavering steps through tangled paths."

📖 Definition

To pin down means to define or understand something precisely or to force someone or something to make a clear decision or action.

Examples in context

It's challenging to pin down when the renovations will be complete.
They successfully pinned down the source of the error in the code.
Can you pin down the best time for our meeting next week?

📖 Definition

To pin down means to define or understand something precisely or to force someone or something to make a clear decision or action.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can come between 'pin' and 'down'.

Neutral

Commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	pin down	I need to pin down the exact time for our meeting.
Past Simple	pinned down	They finally pinned down the main issue yesterday.
Present Continuous	pinning down	She is pinning down the details for the proposal.
Present Perfect	have pinned down	We have pinned down the cause of the problem.

💡 When to Use

Identifying precise details

Use this when you need to find or explain specific information clearly and accurately.

Example: "We need to pin down the final numbers before the report."

Clarifying decisions

Apply when you have to force a definitive decision or action from someone.

Example: "It's essential to pin down the manager's decision on the project."

Strategic military contexts

Commonly used in military settings to locate enemy forces accurately.

Example: "The troops were assigned the task to pin down the enemy's location."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using intransitively

❌ Wrong: We need to pin down.

✅ Correct: We need to pin down the issue.

💡 Tip: Always provide an object to clarify what is being pinned down.

Incorrect verb form

❌ Wrong: I pinning down it now.

✅ Correct: I am pinning it down now.

💡 Tip: Use 'am/is/are' with -ing for continuous forms.

Mispositioning separable elements

❌ Wrong: Pin all the details down.

✅ Correct: Pin down all the details.

💡 Tip: Objects can go between the phrasal verb parts, but not always.

Practice

PIN 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

It's challenging to pin down when the renovations will be complete.
The Shrinking World
2
Listen to example

They successfully pinned down the source of the error in the code.
The Shrinking World
3
Listen to example

Can you pin down the best time for our meeting next week?
The Shrinking World

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

determine identify

Antonyms

obfuscate

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The detective tried to ___ the suspect’s whereabouts."

pin up

pin down

pin away

pin off

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Pin Down

What is the origin of pin down?

The phrase 'pin down' originates from wrestling, where pinning an opponent to the mat signifies a victory. Over time, it gained a metaphorical use in contexts needing precision.

Can pin down be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Pin down' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's versatile in professional and casual settings to clarify or determine details.

What is the difference between pin down and determine?

'Pin down' implies both precision and often difficulty in determination, while 'determine' is more about deciding or establishing facts without the emphasis on struggle.

Browse All The Shrinking World 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

PIN DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Pin Down

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega