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

Write Back: Meaning, Usage & History

"In the tapestry of life, it's important to write back and respond to those who reach out with genuine intentions."

📖 Definition

To write back means to return a written correspondence, usually in the form of a letter or email, responding to someone who has sent you a message.

Examples in context

She promised her grandmother to write back once she reached her destination safely.
Despite his busy schedule, he finds time to write back to his fans.
Make sure to write back as soon as you receive the invitation.

📖 Definition

To write back means to return a written correspondence, usually in the form of a letter or email, responding to someone who has sent you a message.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrase cannot be split with additional words.

Neutral

Commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	write back	She promised to write back as soon as possible.
Past Simple	wrote back	He wrote back immediately after receiving the letter.
Present Continuous	writing back	I am writing back to all my friends today.
Present Perfect	have written back	They have written back to confirm their attendance.

💡 When to Use

Responding to emails

Use when you need to respond to an email, maintaining communication or addressing inquiries.

Example: "I must write back to the client before the end of the day."

Replying to invitations

Appropriate for responding to invitations, ensuring your attendance or sending regrets to the host.

Example: "We need to write back to confirm our presence at the wedding."

Maintaining friendships

Used to keep in touch with friends through letters or messages, fostering and maintaining relationships.

Example: "She loved to write back to friends during summer vacations."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: She write back quickly.

✅ Correct: She wrote back quickly.

💡 Tip: Ensure to match the tense with the context.

Using with an object

❌ Wrong: She wrote back him.

✅ Correct: She wrote back to him.

💡 Tip: Include 'to' when indicating the recipient.

Misplaced words

❌ Wrong: He always back writes.

✅ Correct: He always writes back.

💡 Tip: Keep the phrasal verb intact.

Practice

WRITE BACK - 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

She promised her grandmother to write back once she reached her destination safely.
The World In Your Pocket
2
Listen to example

Despite his busy schedule, he finds time to write back to his fans.
The World In Your Pocket
3
Listen to example

Make sure to write back as soon as you receive the invitation.
The World In Your Pocket

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

reply respond

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"She promised her friend she would ___ back as soon as possible."

walking

write back

singing

jumping

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Write Back

What is the origin of write back?

The phrase 'write back' has its roots in early correspondence customs, where exchanging letters was a primary means of communication. Over the years, it developed as an inherent response protocol in written exchanges, signifying the returning of a message in the form of a written letter.

Can write back be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'write back' is versatile and can be comfortably utilized in both formal and informal settings. In professional contexts, such as business correspondence, it denotes a formal reply to an inquiry. In casual contexts, it can mean responding to a friend's letter or message.

What is the difference between write back and reply?

While 'write back' specifies a written response, 'reply' is broader, encompassing both written and verbal reactions. 'Write back' inherently implies creating a written message, while 'reply' can involve both spoken and non-verbal communication, potentially in face-to-face interactions.

Browse All The World In Your Pocket 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

WRITE BACK - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Write Back

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega