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: Hang Out

📖 Definition

Hang out: To socialize or spend leisure time with a person or group, often in an informal setting, enhancing personal relationships.

Examples in context

Every Saturday, she hangs out with her friends to relax and chat.
When they hang out at the mall, they often find unexpected adventures.
Teens frequently hang out in coffee shops after school.

📖 Definition

Hang out: To socialize or spend leisure time with a person or group, often in an informal setting, enhancing personal relationships.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

This phrasal verb cannot be separated by other words.

Informal

Primarily used in casual, everyday conversation.

Transitive

Doesn't require a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	hang out	We hang out every Friday night.
Past Simple	hung out	Yesterday, I hung out with my cousins.
Present Continuous	hanging out	They are hanging out at the park now.
Present Perfect	have hung out	I have hung out with him several times this week.

💡 When to Use

Casual socializing

Use when describing time spent with friends or family casually, without specific plans or goals.

Example: "We decided to hang out after work."

Discussing leisure activities

Appropriate when talking about spending leisure time, particularly in relaxed settings.

Example: "He likes to hang out at the beach on weekends."

Inviting someone

Use in invitations to suggest spending time together in a relaxed manner.

Example: "Do you want to hang out this Saturday?"

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using it as a formal term

❌ Wrong: We will hang out in the business meeting.

✅ Correct: We will meet in the business meeting.

💡 Tip: Reserve 'hang out' for informal contexts.

Adding a direct object

❌ Wrong: Hang someone out is fun.

✅ Correct: Hanging out with someone is fun.

💡 Tip: Remember, it does not take a direct object.

Separating the verb

❌ Wrong: Hang the group out at the park.

✅ Correct: Hang out with the group at the park.

💡 Tip: Keep 'hang out' together; it's inseparable.

Practice

HANG 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

Every Saturday, she hangs out with her friends to relax and chat.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

When they hang out at the mall, they often find unexpected adventures.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Teens frequently hang out in coffee shops after school.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

socialize mingle

Antonyms

isolate

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"We decided to ___ out at the new cafe downtown."

hold

hang out

stand

stay

"To hang out with friends is to weave the tapestry of life with threads of companionship and shared moments of laughter."

In Context

In the vibrant 1920s Harlem Renaissance, notable figures such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston often hung out at the famous Cotton Club. This era was a flourishing time for African American culture, music, and arts. Poets, writers, and musicians would hang out, sharing ideas and performances that shaped cultural history. The Cotton Club, although segregated, was a sanctuary for those brave enough to hang out and challenge social norms. Hughes, with his sharp wit and keen eye for social change, used these gatherings as inspiration for his work. Hurston, always eager to learn, drew from these experiences to pen her famous novels. Their evenings spent hanging out were not just moments of leisure but were charged with the energy that fueled a cultural explosion. As the decade waned, the legacy of their shared moments continued to influence generations. Hughes and Hurston’s time spent hanging out permanently altered the landscape of American literature and redefined their place in history.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Hang Out

What is the origin of hang out?

The phrase 'hang out' is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century, deriving from the idea of suspending time or lingering in a place with friends, aiming for informal interactions and relaxation.

Can hang out be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Hang out' is typically used in informal contexts. It's best suited for casual conversations about leisure activities. In formal settings, consider using alternatives like 'meet' or 'socialize.'

What is the difference between hang out and socialize?

While 'hang out' is informal and implies relaxing with friends, 'socialize' is a broader term that can be used both formally and informally, implying interactions in any social setting.

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

HANG OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Hang Out

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega