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: Look After

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'look after' means to take care of someone or something, ensuring their needs are met and they are protected.

Examples in context

Parents are generally obliged to look after their children's education and wellbeing.
Volunteers are needed to look after the animals at the shelters.
The manager asked me to look after the office plants during summer.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'look after' means to take care of someone or something, ensuring their needs are met and they are protected.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

'Look after' cannot be split; the object follows directly.

Neutral

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

'Look after' requires a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	look after	She looks after her younger siblings every evening.
Past Simple	looked after	The nurse looked after the patient all night.
Present Continuous	looking after	He is looking after his friend’s dog this week.
Present Perfect	have looked after	They have looked after the garden for years.

💡 When to Use

Caring for a person

Use when referring to taking care of someone's needs or wellbeing consistently.

Example: "She looked after her grandmother during her illness."

Maintaining an object

Employ when indicating the responsibility of upkeep or preservation of an item.

Example: "He looks after the antique clock in the museum."

Supervising places or pets

Pertinent when caring for an animal or overseeing a location.

Example: "They are looking after the farm while the owner is away."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using the wrong verb tense

❌ Wrong: I look aftered the kids yesterday.

✅ Correct: I looked after the kids yesterday.

💡 Tip: Remember 'looked after' is the correct past tense.

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: Look the pet after while I'm gone.

✅ Correct: Look after the pet while I'm gone.

💡 Tip: Keep the object after 'look after'.

Confusing with similar phrasal

❌ Wrong: She looks over her siblings in the afternoon.

✅ Correct: She looks after her siblings in the afternoon.

💡 Tip: 'Look after' means taking care, unlike 'look over'.

Practice

LOOK AFTER - 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

Parents are generally obliged to look after their children's education and wellbeing.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Volunteers are needed to look after the animals at the shelters.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The manager asked me to look after the office plants during summer.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

care for tend to

Antonyms

neglect

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"It is important to ___ after your health as you age."

look into

look after

look for

look over

"In a world rushing towards solitude, those who truly thrive are the ones who look after the souls of others and themselves."

In Context

During World War II, the small English village of Eyam became famous for how its residents looked after each other during a dire period of plague in 1665. Realizing the risk of the disease spreading to nearby towns, the villagers made a collective decision to quarantine themselves. The local rector, William Mompesson, was pivotal in leading this brave effort, ensuring that the sick were looked after by designated volunteers who stayed on the outskirts of the village to deliver supplies and medicine. Meanwhile, the unaffected villagers also took turns to look after the families that the plague had left bereft. Despite the significant loss of lives, this self-sacrificing act of communal care ensured that the plague did not spread beyond Eyam. The villagers’ compassion and resilience demonstrated the power of looking after one another even when faced with an overwhelming threat. In the end, although many perished, Eyam had heroically contained the devastation to within their borders, leaving a legacy of courage and care for future generations.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Look After

What is the origin of look after?

'Look after' originated in the late 16th century, combining 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze, with 'after', indicating attention following something or someone.

Can look after be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'look after' is versatile and can be suitably used in both formal and informal situations to express caregiving or maintenance duties.

What is the difference between look after and care for?

'Look after' and 'care for' are synonymous, though 'care for' often implies a more personal, emotional commitment than 'look after'.

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

LOOK AFTER - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Look After

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega