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: Burn Out

“When passions burn so brilliantly, they often burn out too soon, leaving behind only the ashes of past fervor and zeal.”

📖 Definition

To burn out means to become very tired or lose enthusiasm due to prolonged stress or overwork, leading to impaired performance or withdrawal.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

This phrasal verb cannot be split by an object.

Neutral

It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

This phrasal verb does not require an object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	burn out	If you don't rest, you might burn out quickly.
Past Simple	burned out	He burned out after working three weeks nonstop.
Present Continuous	burning out	She is burning out due to the constant pressure.
Present Perfect	have burned out	They have burned out, unable to continue the project.

💡 When to Use

Excessive work stress

Use when someone is overwhelmed by too much work or stress, leading to physical or emotional exhaustion.

Example: “After months of double shifts, Mark felt completely burned out.”

Loss of interest

Applicable when someone loses enthusiasm for an activity due to repetition or overexertion.

Example: “Jane burned out on the project after managing it for years.”

Physical exhaustion

For situations where continuous effort results in physical fatigue and the inability to continue.

Example: “The athlete burned out after training excessively without breaks.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: She burn out last year from too much work.

✅ Correct: She burned out last year from too much work.

💡 Tip: Ensure you match the tense to the time period.

Wrong positioning of object

❌ Wrong: Burn that candle out at both ends.

✅ Correct: Burn out that candle at both ends.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'burn out' isn't separable.

Using with a direct object

❌ Wrong: I burned out the task.

✅ Correct: I was burned out by the task.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'burn out' doesn't take a direct object.

Practice

BURN 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 the marathon, she was completely burned out and needed rest.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Without taking time off, he’s likely to burn out by the year’s end.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Burning out from stress is a common issue in high-pressure jobs.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

exhaust fatigue

Antonyms

energize

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“If you don't manage your workload, you will ___ quickly.”

burn in

burn out

burn on

burn up

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Burn Out

What is the origin of burn out?

The phrase ‘burn out’ originated from the analogy of a candle burning out, used metaphorically to describe exhaustion from overuse or overwork.

Can burn out be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'burn out' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings to describe exhaustion from continuous stress.

What is the difference between burn out and exhaust?

'Burn out' implies complete depletion of energy or enthusiasm, often emotional or mental, while 'exhaust' generally refers to physical tiredness.

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