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 'Pull That Apart'

"When faced with complexity, sometimes it's wiser to pull that apart; understanding each piece reveals the intricate beauty of the whole."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'pull that apart' means to critically examine and analyze something by dividing it into its components to understand its structure better.

Examples in context

The team will pull that apart to find any weaknesses in the proposal.
During the debate, they pulled that apart, revealing new perspectives.
We decided to pull that apart to understand its underlying principles.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'pull that apart' means to critically examine and analyze something by dividing it into its components to understand its structure better.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between the verb and particle or after the particle.

Neutral

It can be used in both informal and formal settings, based on the context.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object (the thing being analyzed).

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	pull that apart	They pull that apart to understand the issue.
Past Simple	pulled that apart	He pulled that apart to find the solution.
Present Continuous	pulling that apart	She is pulling that apart for clarity.
Present Perfect	have pulled that apart	We have pulled that apart to make improvements.

💡 When to Use

Analyzing a complex issue

Use when you need to dissect a problem or concept into smaller parts for thorough understanding.

Example: "Before making a decision, let's pull that apart."

Debating scientific theories

Appropriate when scrutinizing scientific or philosophical ideas to expose strengths or weaknesses.

Example: "To settle the argument, the scientists pulled that apart."

Problem-solving in teams

Helpful for group discussions where breaking down challenges enables better collaborative solutions.

Example: "During the meeting, we need to pull that apart."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: She pulled apart that quickly.

✅ Correct: She pulled that apart quickly.

💡 Tip: Place 'that' before 'apart' when separating.

Incorrect use of intransitive

❌ Wrong: They pull apart during discussions.

✅ Correct: They pull that apart during discussions.

💡 Tip: Ensure 'that' is used to specify the object.

Omitting the particle

❌ Wrong: He pulled it during analysis.

✅ Correct: He pulled that apart during analysis.

💡 Tip: Include 'apart' to show thorough analysis.

Practice

PULL THAT APART - 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 team will pull that apart to find any weaknesses in the proposal.
The World In Your Pocket
2
Listen to example

During the debate, they pulled that apart, revealing new perspectives.
The World In Your Pocket
3
Listen to example

We decided to pull that apart to understand its underlying principles.
The World In Your Pocket

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

analyze dissect

Antonyms

assemble

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"To understand the mechanism fully, we need to ___ that apart."

push

pull that apart

cover

overlook

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Pull That Apart

What is the origin of the phrasal verb 'pull that apart'?

The phrase originated in the late 19th century, when people began using 'pull apart' in a figurative sense to describe analytical processes. Over time, its usage expanded beyond physical separation to include critical examination.

Can 'pull that apart' be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'pull that apart' is suitable for both contexts. In formal settings, it's applied to structured analysis, while in informal settings, it's used conversationally to indicate thorough examination.

What is the difference between 'pull that apart' and 'analyze'?

'Pull that apart' implies breaking down into components for understanding, often suggests a more detailed dissection. 'Analyze' more generally means examining information or data methodically, not necessarily involving physical or metaphorical separation.

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

PULL THAT APART - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Pull That Apart

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega