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

Tear Through: Definition, Examples, and Usage

📖 Definition

To move through something quickly and with little regard, often resulting in disorder or carelessness. It can imply urgency or desperation.

Examples in context

The children tore through the park, laughter echoing as they chased each other.
She tore through the paperwork, eager to complete it before the deadline.
Hungry guests tore through the buffet, leaving little behind.

📖 Definition

To move through something quickly and with little regard, often resulting in disorder or carelessness. It can imply urgency or desperation.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can come between the verb and the preposition.

Informal

Typically used in casual or conversational contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object that is being moved through or consumed.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	tear through	They tear through the city looking for adventure.
Past Simple	tore through	He tore through the report in minutes.
Present Continuous	tearing through	She is tearing through books this summer.
Present Perfect	have torn through	We have torn through all the supplies.

💡 When to Use

When in a hurry

Use when someone moves rapidly, often in a hurried manner, focused on speed rather than organization.

Example: "He tears through his homework every night."

Rushing through reading

Use when someone reads quickly, usually with little attention to detail or understanding.

Example: "She tore through the novel in a day."

Depleting resources

Use when consuming or using something so rapidly that it runs out quickly.

Example: "The team tore through the snacks during the meeting."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Misuse in context

❌ Wrong: The train tore through the night quietly.

✅ Correct: The train tore through the night noisily.

💡 Tip: Ensure the action is rapid or chaotic.

Incorrect separation

❌ Wrong: He through the documents tore quickly.

✅ Correct: He tore through the documents quickly.

💡 Tip: Keep 'tear' and 'through' together if not separating.

Wrong preposition

❌ Wrong: They tear across the city.

✅ Correct: They tear through the city.

💡 Tip: Remember 'through' is key to this phrase.

Practice

TEAR THROUGH - 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 children tore through the park, laughter echoing as they chased each other.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

She tore through the paperwork, eager to complete it before the deadline.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Hungry guests tore through the buffet, leaving little behind.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

rush through plow through

Antonyms

take one's time

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The students ___ through the exam, eager to finish early."

tear over

tear through

tear across

tear around

"In life’s rush, we often tear through moments, missing the silent teachings nestled in time's gentle folds."

In Context

During the harsh winter of 1812, Napoleon's Grand Armée invaded Russia with great ambitions. As they approached Moscow, spirits were high, but soon the soldiers would tear through resources faster than expected. The Russian forces employed scorched earth tactics, burning crops and supplies. The once-invincible army found itself unprepared for the severity of the Russian winter. Soldiers began to tear through their dwindling rations, desperate for sustenance in the freezing climate. Cold and lack of food turned formidable warriors into shadows of their former selves. Tearing through clothes in search of warmth, the men were unable to withstand the biting cold. As the army retreated, chaos ensued. Soldiers tore through villages, desperately seeking food and shelter. This invasion, which started with hope and grandeur, ended in disastrous retreat. A once-mighty force was diminished, tearing through Europe on a desperate flight home. The campaign, marked by ambition and failure, serves as a historical lesson on the perils of unpreparedness and the might of nature.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Tear Through

What is the origin of tear through?

"Tear through" likely originates from the literal notion of tearing, meaning to rip or burst, combined with moving through a space quickly.

Can tear through be used in formal and informal contexts?

While mainly informal, "tear through" can appear in formal contexts if describing rapid or careless action, but it's more common in spoken language.

What is the difference between tear through and rush through?

"Tear through" implies rapid movement with potential disorder, while "rush through" suggests hurried action, often with less emphasis on disruption.

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

TEAR THROUGH - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Tear Through

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega