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 'Drift Away'

"As the years drift away, hold steadfast in the moments that define your journey and anchor your soul."

📖 Definition

To drift away means to gradually move away from a strong attachment or focus, whether physically, emotionally, or mentally.

Examples in context

As time passed, her interest in the hobby began to drift away.
The conference attendees started to drift away after the last presentation.
With each monotonous lecture, his thoughts would drift away to distant places.

📖 Definition

To drift away means to gradually move away from a strong attachment or focus, whether physically, emotionally, or mentally.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

This phrasal verb cannot be split by an object.

Neutral

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Does not require a direct object to make sense.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	drift away	She often drifts away during boring meetings.
Past Simple	drifted away	He drifted away from his childhood friends over time.
Present Continuous	drifting away	They are drifting away from the original plan.
Present Perfect	have drifted away	Over the years, many traditions have drifted away.

💡 When to Use

Emotional detachment

Use when describing someone losing emotional connection with a person or group.

Example: "She began to drift away from her old friends after college."

Physical movement

Use when something or someone physically moves away unintentionally.

Example: "The boat began to drift away from the dock."

Losing concentration

Use when someone loses focus on a task or thought.

Example: "During class, his mind would often drift away."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using with a direct object

❌ Wrong: She drifted her friends away over the years.

✅ Correct: She drifted away from her friends over the years.

💡 Tip: Don't use a direct object; focus on the subject's action.

Confusing tense

❌ Wrong: He drifts away his friends last year.

✅ Correct: He drifted away from his friends last year.

💡 Tip: Pay attention to the tense of the verb.

Incorrect context

❌ Wrong: The party drift away was fun.

✅ Correct: People began to drift away from the party early.

💡 Tip: Ensure logical context; 'drift away' indicates gradual separation.

Practice

DRIFT AWAY - 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

As time passed, her interest in the hobby began to drift away.
The World Becomes A Web
2
Listen to example

The conference attendees started to drift away after the last presentation.
The World Becomes A Web
3
Listen to example

With each monotonous lecture, his thoughts would drift away to distant places.
The World Becomes A Web

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

wane dissipate

Antonyms

converge

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"As the sun set, the boat began to ___ away from the shore."

fall

drift away

run

slam

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Drift Away

What is the origin of drift away?

The phrasal verb "drift away" originated by combining the verb "drift," suggesting movement caused by currents, with "away," indicating distance. It first appeared in nautical contexts, describing boats moving unanchored, but later metaphorically evolved to describe emotional or focus distancing.

Can drift away be used in formal and informal contexts?

"Drift away" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it might describe phenomena like trends or interests, while in informal conversations, it can express personal disengagement or physical separation, making it versatile across different scenarios.

What is the difference between drift away and wane?

Both "drift away" and "wane" suggest a decrease, but "drift away" typically implies a slow and gradual separation or loss of focus, often with a gentle or natural process. "Wane," on the other hand, often refers specifically to a decrease in strength, intensity, or authority, especially in moon phases or popularity.

Browse All The World Becomes A Web 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

DRIFT AWAY - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Drift Away

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega