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 'Go Out'

"When one chooses to go out, they embark on journeys that expand horizons and illuminate the soul's desires and dreams."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'go out' means to leave a place, particularly one's home, often for entertainment or social activities. It can also mean to participate in activities outdoors or away from one's regular location. Additionally, it can describe an extinguishing flame or light, which will 'go out' when it stops shining or burning.

Examples in context

After dinner, we decided to go out to enjoy the cool evening breeze.
The fire in the hearth went out after midnight, leaving the room chilly.
On Saturdays, I usually go out to the park for a refreshing walk.

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb phrase cannot be separated by a direct object.

Informal

It is typically used in casual, everyday conversation.

Transitive

The phrasal verb does not require a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	go out	They often go out on Fridays.
Past Simple	went out	She went out to meet her friends.
Present Continuous	going out	I am going out tonight.
Present Perfect	have gone out	We have gone out every weekend this month.

💡 When to Use

For social plans or outings

Use when talking about leaving home primarily for recreational or social activities, indicating a break from routine.

Example: "We are going out for dinner tonight."

Describing a fire or light extinguishing

Use when talking about something, like a flame or light, that is ceasing to burn or shine.

Example: "The candle went out suddenly."

Exploring or leaving surroundings

Use to describe leaving a location for broader exploration, visiting places beyond usual ones.

Example: "I love going out and exploring new neighborhoods."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: Yesterday, I go out to the movies.

✅ Correct: Yesterday, I went out to the movies.

💡 Tip: Remember to change 'go' to 'went' for past actions.

Wrong verb agreement

❌ Wrong: She go out every weekend.

✅ Correct: She goes out every weekend.

💡 Tip: Use 'goes' with singular third-person subjects.

Using with unnecessary object

❌ Wrong: I am going out the house.

✅ Correct: I am going out.

💡 Tip: Avoid adding unnecessary objects after 'go out'.

Practice

GO OUT - 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

After dinner, we decided to go out to enjoy the cool evening breeze.
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2
Listen to example

The fire in the hearth went out after midnight, leaving the room chilly.
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3
Listen to example

On Saturdays, I usually go out to the park for a refreshing walk.
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Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

leave exit

Antonyms

stay in

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"After the meeting, they planned to ___ for some fresh air."

gone out

go out

goes out

going out

In Context

In the 18th century, a woman named Lady Mary Wortley Montagu decided to go out of her comfort zone and explore the world beyond English shores. She had an adventurous spirit and a keen interest in different cultures, which led her to accompany her husband to the Ottoman Empire in 1716. While in Constantinople, Lady Mary went out of her way to learn about Turkish customs, focusing particularly on their medical practices. She discovered the practice of smallpox inoculation, which was unheard of in England at the time. Intrigued by its potential, she decided to go out and see the procedure firsthand, despite knowing the risks. Lady Mary was so impressed that she became an advocate for inoculation, a revolutionary idea back then. Her efforts to go out and promote the practice back in England were met with skepticism initially. However, with persistence, she eventually convinced the royal family about its benefits, significantly impacting public health. Thanks to her determination to go out and learn, she played an instrumental role in advancing medical practices. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu’s fearless journey illustrates the power of curiosity and bravery, showcasing how stepping beyond familiar boundaries can lead to transformative breakthroughs.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Go Out

What is the origin of go out?

The phrase 'go out' dates back to Middle English, with 'go' tracing roots to Old English 'gan' and 'out' from Germanic origins. Initially used to describe physical movement out of a space, its usage expanded to social and recreational departures.

Can go out be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Go out' is generally informal, associated with leisure and social activities. While it can be used casually in everyday language, it's less common in formal settings, where specific verbs like 'depart' or 'exit' might be preferred for professionalism.

What is the difference between go out and leave?

'Go out' often emphasizes moving from one’s usual place for leisure or as something stops burning. 'Leave' is broader, indicating departing from anywhere for any reason. 'Leave' lacks the casual or restraining context that 'go out' implies, offering wider applicability.

Browse All Tiny House 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

GO OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Go Out

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega