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

Mastering 'Get Across': Definitions & Uses

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'get across' means to successfully communicate or convey an idea or message to someone, ensuring understanding.

Examples in context

It's essential to get your instructions across to the team.
He found it hard to get across his feelings to her.
We need to find new ways to get our message across to voters.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'get across' means to successfully communicate or convey an idea or message to someone, ensuring understanding.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can come between or after the parts.

Neutral

It is suitable for both casual and more formal conversations.

Transitive

Yes

It requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	get across	She tries to get her ideas across during meetings.
Past Simple	got across	He got his concerns across to the board effectively.
Present Continuous	getting across	They are getting across the importance of teamwork.
Present Perfect	have gotten across	We have successfully gotten the message across to the team.

💡 When to Use

Explaining complex ideas

Use 'get across' when simplifying complex concepts to ensure understanding by others.

Example: "He struggled to get the technical details across to his audience."

Conveying emotions

Apply when expressing personal feelings clearly to others.

Example: "She couldn't get her frustration across to him."

Persuading others

Ideal for convincingly conveying opinions or suggestions.

Example: "They need to get their proposal across to win approval."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: Get across your message clearly.

✅ Correct: Get your message across clearly.

💡 Tip: Place object between 'get' and 'across'.

Misuse with intransitive verbs

❌ Wrong: Get across running.

✅ Correct: Get your point across while running.

💡 Tip: Always pair with a transitive verb.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: She got across well.

✅ Correct: She got her point across well.

💡 Tip: Ensure there's a direct object.

Practice

GET ACROSS - 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 essential to get your instructions across to the team.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

He found it hard to get across his feelings to her.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

We need to find new ways to get our message across to voters.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

convey communicate

Antonyms

misunderstand

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Can you ___ the message clearly to the audience?"

through across

get across

along across

over care

"To truly get your message across, listen first and speak with sincerity, letting understanding bridge the gap between hearts."

In Context

In the late 1800s, Florence Nightingale revolutionized the field of nursing. Her commitment extended beyond treating wounds; she worked hard to get across the importance of sanitation and hygiene, which were revolutionary ideas at the time. After witnessing the deplorable conditions in Crimean War hospitals, Florence tirelessly compiled statistics and data to get her point across to military officials and policymakers. Despite the initial resistance from a male-dominated medical community, her meticulous presentations began to get across her arguments. By emphasizing the correlation between cleanliness and lowered mortality rates, Florence successfully convinced authorities to implement sanitary reforms. Her work not only improved the health of soldiers but laid the foundation for modern nursing practices. Nightingale’s efforts to get her message across in adverse conditions demonstrate her perseverance and dedication to improving healthcare for future generations.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Get Across

What is the origin of get across?

The phrase 'get across' originates from English and gained prominence in the 19th century, aligning with increased emphasis on effective communication during this period.

Can get across be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Get across' is versatile, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It smoothly fits in professional discussions or casual conversations, aiding clear communication.

What is the difference between get across and convey?

While 'get across' implies successful communication, 'convey' focuses on the act of transmitting information or ideas without emphasizing successful understanding.

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

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

GET ACROSS - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Get Across

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega