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 'Balance Out': Definition and Usage

“In life's grand journey, the storms and calm often balance out, teaching patience and resilience in equal measure.”

📖 Definition

To make two or more different things equal in amount, degree, or intensity so that no single element is overly dominant.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can come between or after the verb and particle.

Neutral

Commonly used in both casual and formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	balances out	This new strategy balances out our workload effectively.
Past Simple	balanced out	She balanced out her career and family life last year.
Present Continuous	balancing out	He is balancing out his finances for the next quarter.
Present Perfect	have balanced out	They have balanced out their differences over time.

💡 When to Use

In economic contexts

Use this when discussing adjustments in financial or economic situations to ensure stability or fairness.

Example: “The government's new policy aims to balance out economic inequalities.”

In personal relationships

Appropriate when talking about efforts to maintain harmony or resolve differences between people.

Example: “They tried hard to balance out their conflicting schedules.”

In work or task management

Used when referring to distributing tasks evenly to prevent overload or burnout.

Example: “We need to balance out the responsibilities among team members.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: She out balanced the workload well.

✅ Correct: She balanced out the workload well.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'balance out' should work together as a unit.

Using intransitively

❌ Wrong: They will balance out soon.

✅ Correct: They will balance out their roles soon.

💡 Tip: Ensure there is an object present.

Grammar agreement error

❌ Wrong: The factors balances out over time.

✅ Correct: The factors balance out over time.

💡 Tip: Ensure subject-verb agreement.

Practice

BALANCE 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

The flavors in the dish balance out the spiciness with sweetness.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

He balanced out his work life with some much-needed vacation time.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

To balance out the high costs, they offered incentives to customers.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

offset equalize

Antonyms

unbalance

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“The new policy is designed to ___ economic disparities.”

balance over

balance out

balance in

balance off

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Balance Out

What is the origin of balance out?

The origin of 'balance out' is rooted in late Middle English, where 'balance' was used to denote equilibrium. Over time, 'balance out' emerged in the 19th century as a phrasal verb emphasizing the act of restoring equality between elements.

Can balance out be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Balance out' is versatile, fitting both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it's used to discuss economic theories or scientific data, while, informally, it can describe everyday situations like balancing personal life activities.

What is the difference between balance out and offset?

'Balance out' implies correcting to achieve equality, often through equal distribution. 'Offset' suggests counteracting or compensating for something undesirable. While they can be used interchangeably, 'balance out' focuses on equilibrium, and 'offset' on neutralization.

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