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: Check Out

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb ‘check out’ means to examine or investigate something, or to leave a hotel or a similar establishment and pay the bill.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'check' and 'out' or after 'out'.

Neutral

It is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	check out	I need to check out this new book from the library.
Past Simple	checked out	They checked out the latest exhibit at the museum.
Present Continuous	checking out	He is checking out the new café in town.
Present Perfect	have checked out	She has checked out every room for the renovation project.

💡 When to Use

Examining new products

Use when investigating or evaluating new items in stores or markets.

Example: “I went to check out the new smartphone at the store.”

Leaving an accommodation

Used when departing from a hotel or guesthouse and settling the bill.

Example: “We checked out of the hotel early this morning.”

Researching or exploring

Applied when studying or inspecting something unfamiliar.

Example: “She decided to check out the new restaurant in town.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect position of the object

❌ Wrong: She checked the new book out.

✅ Correct: She checked out the new book.

💡 Tip: Place 'out' immediately after 'check' when using an object.

Confusion with another phrase

❌ Wrong: I need to check up the new café.

✅ Correct: I need to check out the new café.

💡 Tip: Use 'out' not 'up' for this context.

Missing direct object

❌ Wrong: He wants to check out.

✅ Correct: He wants to check out the venue.

💡 Tip: Ensure 'check out' has a specified object.

Practice

CHECK 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 tourists were eager to check out the ancient temple ruins.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Please check out my latest art project.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

They checked out early to avoid the rush hour traffic.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

investigate inspect

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“You must ___ the museum exhibit before it closes.”

checking in

check out

checked over

check up

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Check Out

What is the origin of check out?

The phrasal verb 'check out' originated in the United States, likely in the 1940s, as an extension of checking or verifying something, then adapted to include connotations of leaving or departing, especially from accommodations.

Can check out be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'check out' is versatile and used in both formal and informal contexts. It can refer to examining items informally among friends or formally when conducting evaluations, hence fitting a range of communications.

What is the difference between check out and investigate?

'Check out' implies a casual or preliminary look, often used informally, while 'investigate' suggests a thorough, formal examination requiring more detailed understanding or study.

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