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

Master the Phrasal Verb 'Hand Back'

📖 Definition

To hand back means to return something to its original owner or the person who gave it to you. It involves restitution or giving back possession.

Examples in context

The librarian politely asked students to hand back overdue books by the end of the week.
Once the meeting was over, the manager handed back the revised reports to his team.
The ambassador was unable to hand back the cultural artifacts during the negotiation talks.

📖 Definition

To hand back means to return something to its original owner or the person who gave it to you. It involves restitution or giving back possession.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'hand' and 'back'.

Neutral

Suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	hand back	Please hand back the borrowed book.
Past Simple	handed back	She handed back the keys this morning.
Present Continuous	handing back	They are handing back the documents now.
Present Perfect	have handed back	We have handed back all the borrowed items.

💡 When to Use

Returning a borrowed item

Use when you want to indicate that a borrowed item is being returned to the original owner.

Example: "After using his tools, he decided to hand back everything he borrowed."

Formal resetting of rights

Appropriate in legal or formal contexts when rights or properties are being returned to previous holders.

Example: "The company agreed to hand back control to the shareholders."

Educational settings

Commonly used when teachers return assignments or grades to students.

Example: "The teacher will hand back the graded exams tomorrow."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Confusing with 'give back'

❌ Wrong: He give back the pen.

✅ Correct: He handed back the pen.

💡 Tip: Remember that 'hand back' usually refers to a formal return.

Incorrect word order

❌ Wrong: Hand the back keys.

✅ Correct: Hand back the keys.

💡 Tip: Keep 'hand' and 'back' together for clarity.

Omitting the object

❌ Wrong: Please hand back.

✅ Correct: Please hand back the book.

💡 Tip: Always specify what is being handed back.

Practice

HAND 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

The librarian politely asked students to hand back overdue books by the end of the week.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Once the meeting was over, the manager handed back the revised reports to his team.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The ambassador was unable to hand back the cultural artifacts during the negotiation talks.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

return give back

Antonyms

take

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The teacher will ___ the assignments tomorrow."

take

hand back

keep

hold

"To truly appreciate a gift, sometimes you must hand back what you once held dear, creating space for new blessings."

In Context

In the early 20th century, the British Museum was in possession of the Parthenon Marbles, a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures. Lord Elgin removed these marbles from the Parthenon in Athens during the early 1800s, and they were subsequently sold to the British Museum in 1816. For decades, the Greek government lobbied for their return, arguing they were a vital part of Greece's cultural heritage. In 1961, Melina Mercouri, a renowned Greek actress and later the Minister of Culture, intensified these efforts, advocating on international platforms for the marbles to be handed back to Greece. Her campaign gained global support, transforming her into a symbol of cultural repatriation. In 1983, as Minister, she officially requested the British Museum hand back the marbles, focusing the world's attention on cultural ownership and heritage. The British Museum, however, firmly held onto the artifacts, citing legal ownership and better preservation conditions. Despite negotiations reaching a stalemate, Mercouri managed to reignite a global conversation about the ethics of cultural property. Her valiant struggle illuminated the complexities of historical ownership, and even though the British Museum did not hand back the marbles, her efforts left a lasting impact on international heritage dialogues.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Hand Back

What is the origin of hand back?

The expression 'hand back' is derived from the literal action of physically handing something to someone, which evolved into a metaphorical phrase indicating the return of possession.

Can hand back be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'hand back' can be used in both formal and informal settings. Its neutral register makes it versatile for everyday situations at work, home, or educational contexts.

What is the difference between hand back and return?

While both imply giving something back, 'hand back' typically involves personal interactions, belonging to someone, whereas 'return' can apply more broadly to ideas, practices, or states.

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

HAND BACK - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Hand Back

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega