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 'Tire Out'

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'tire out' means to cause someone to become very exhausted or fatigued, often as a result of physical or mental exertion.

Examples in context

After hours of practice, the musician was completely tired out.
The challenging yoga session effectively tired out the class.
Taking care of playful toddlers can tire out even the most energetic person.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'tire out' means to cause someone to become very exhausted or fatigued, often as a result of physical or mental exertion.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

'Tire out' can be separated by an object (e.g., 'tire the kids out').

Informal

Commonly used in casual conversation to describe exhaustion.

Transitive

Yes

'Tire out' requires a direct object to indicate what or who is exhausted.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	tire out	The marathon will tire out even the fittest runners.
Past Simple	tired out	The long hike tired out the children completely.
Present Continuous	tiring out	The coach is tiring out the players with intense drills.
Present Perfect	have tired out	They have tired out the team with continuous schedules.

💡 When to Use

Physical exhaustion

Use 'tire out' when referring to physical activities causing exhaustion, like sports or exercise.

Example: "Playing soccer all afternoon will tire out the kids."

Mental fatigue

Applicable when activities or tasks lead to mental exhaustion, like studying or problem-solving.

Example: "The intense brainstorming session tired out the team."

Overcoming challenges

Use it when someone faces challenges that exhaust their resolve or determination.

Example: "Facing several obstacles can't tire out her strong will."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect usage with intransitive form

❌ Wrong: I tired yesterday.

✅ Correct: I was tired out yesterday.

💡 Tip: Remember 'tire out' needs a direct object or passive form.

Wrong word order in separable form

❌ Wrong: The work will out tire you.

✅ Correct: The work will tire you out.

💡 Tip: Keep the object between 'tire' and 'out'.

Confusing with 'tire of'

❌ Wrong: I tired of the gym quickly.

✅ Correct: I was tired out at the gym.

💡 Tip: 'Tire of' means losing interest, 'tire out' means exhaustion.

Practice

TIRE 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 hours of practice, the musician was completely tired out.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

The challenging yoga session effectively tired out the class.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Taking care of playful toddlers can tire out even the most energetic person.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

exhaust wear out

Antonyms

invigorate

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The long journey across the desert will ___ the travelers."

tire

tire out

tires

tired

"To tire out is to know the limits of strength, not to conquer but to understand when rest is wisdom's true ally."

In Context

In the early 20th century, explorer Ernest Shackleton embarked on his famous Antarctic expedition aboard the ship Endurance. Shackleton aimed to cross the Antarctic continent, but his journey took an unforeseen turn. As Endurance became trapped in pack ice, Shackleton and his crew were forced to abandon ship in a relentless, harsh environment. To survive the brutality of the Antarctic conditions, Shackleton was determined to keep morale high and manage their limited resources. The daunting trek to Elephant Island nearly tired out the men, physically and mentally. Nevertheless, their spirit was resilient as Shackleton unwaveringly led them across turbulent, freezing waters. The group's energy was nearly sapped, but their leader’s empowerment never let them be fully tired out. As their voyage continued, it was finally a small lifeboat journey to South Georgia Island that truly tested their endurance, threatening to tire out every man. Shackleton's unbelievable resolve to successfully return with rescue taught them that overcoming adversity involved being physically and spiritually tireless. Ultimately, Shackleton’s expedition became a triumph of resilience, despite not completing the original mission, as every crew member survived this harrowing tale.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Tire Out

What is the origin of tire out?

The phrase 'tire out' originated in the late 1500s, combining the word 'tire'—stemming from Old English 'tiorgan'—and 'out,' creating a phrasal verb emphasizing exhaustion.

Can tire out be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Tire out' is primarily informal, often used in everyday conversation, but can also appear in less formal written contexts like emails or blogs.

What is the difference between tire out and exhaust?

Both mean making someone extremely tired. However, 'exhaust' is more often used in formal contexts, whereas 'tire out' is colloquial.

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

TIRE OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Tire Out

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega