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 'Hold Back'

📖 Definition

To hold back means to restrain or prevent oneself or others from advancing, expressing emotions, or achieving goals due to fear or caution.

Examples in context

Despite the chaos, she managed to hold back her panic to calm the children.
The new regulations may hold back technological advancements significantly.
He chose to hold back his critiques until the final presentation was over.

📖 Definition

To hold back means to restrain or prevent oneself or others from advancing, expressing emotions, or achieving goals due to fear or caution.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

Can be split by an object, e.g., 'hold it back.'

Neutral

Used in both casual and formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	hold back	She often holds back her opinions in meetings.
Past Simple	held back	They held back their comments during the debate.
Present Continuous	holding back	He is holding back his tears at the news.
Present Perfect	have held back	We have held back our decision until more information was available.

💡 When to Use

Emotional restraint

Used when someone is controlling their emotions or reactions in a situation to prevent them from showing.

Example: "He held back his anger to avoid escalating the argument."

Preventing progress

Describes a scenario where progress or development is stopped or slowed down deliberately.

Example: "Budget cuts held back the project's completion."

Suppressing ideas

When someone does not express their ideas or thoughts due to fear or doubt.

Example: "She held back her suggestion during the meeting."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: He hold back his laughter.

✅ Correct: He held back his laughter.

💡 Tip: Remember past tense: 'held' for past events.

Wrong particle placement

❌ Wrong: Hold your tears back.

✅ Correct: Hold back your tears.

💡 Tip: Keep 'back' directly after 'hold' for clarity.

Using intransitive usage

❌ Wrong: They held back well.

✅ Correct: They held back their opinions.

💡 Tip: Always pair 'hold back' with an object.

Practice

HOLD 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

Despite the chaos, she managed to hold back her panic to calm the children.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

The new regulations may hold back technological advancements significantly.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

He chose to hold back his critiques until the final presentation was over.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

restrain suppress

Antonyms

release

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Don't ___ your creativity; let it flourish."

holds back

hold back

hold down

hold over

"In moments of reflection, learn not to hold back your dreams, for hesitation can be the greatest barrier to your aspirations."

In Context

In the early 19th century, Jane Marcet, an English writer and educator, made significant contributions to popular science education. She authored 'Conversations on Chemistry' to make scientific concepts more accessible, particularly to women, who were often held back by societal expectations. Despite the academic community's skepticism, she didn't hold back her passion for education. Marcet's innovative approach provided women access to knowledge previously inaccessible, even when societal norms held back their progress. Her work directly influenced scientists like Michael Faraday. Marcet's story illustrates the power of perseverance in education, showing how not holding back ideas can lead to substantial breakthroughs. Throughout her life, she faced challenges but refused to hold back from advocating for accessible science education. Her legacy is a testament to overcoming barriers that hold back progress in education, demonstrating the impact of persistent efforts towards enlightenment and inclusion.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Hold Back

What is the origin of hold back?

The phrase 'hold back' dates back to the early 15th century, derived from the Old English 'healdan', meaning 'to keep', combined with 'bæc', meaning 'backward'.

Can hold back be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'hold back' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts to describe emotional restraint or preventing actions.

What is the difference between hold back and restrain?

'Hold back' often implies an internal or deliberate choice, while 'restrain' can suggest external constraints or a more forceful prevention.

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

HOLD BACK - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Hold Back

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega