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 'Act On'

“To truly excel, one must act on wisdom, letting it guide actions as the soul acts on the essence of truth in existence.”

📖 Definition

To act on something means to take action as a result of advice, information, or feelings, harnessing them into decisive action.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

This verb is inseparable; the preposition must always follow the verb.

Neutral

Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, used across various settings.

Transitive

Yes

This phrasal verb requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	act on	They act on the information quickly.
Past Simple	acted on	She acted on her instincts and called for help.
Present Continuous	acting on	He is acting on the suggestions provided during the meeting.
Present Perfect	have acted on	We have acted on all customer feedback to improve our service.

💡 When to Use

When following advice

Use it when someone takes steps based on counsel or recommendations.

Example: “She acted on her mentor's advice to pursue further studies.”

Taking informed actions

Utilize it to describe actions taken based on new data or information.

Example: “The authorities acted on the updated weather forecasts to issue warnings.”

Based on feelings or instincts

Apply it when someone follows their gut feelings to make decisions.

Example: “He acted on his instincts and avoided the potential hazard.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Confusing with 'act upon'

❌ Wrong: She act about the news immediately.

✅ Correct: She acted on the news immediately.

💡 Tip: 'On' is more common and direct than 'upon'.

Misplacing the object

❌ Wrong: They acted the advice on given.

✅ Correct: They acted on the given advice.

💡 Tip: Remember the structure: 'act on' followed by the object.

Using incorrectly intransitively

❌ Wrong: He acted on bravely despite the risk.

✅ Correct: He acted bravely despite the risk.

💡 Tip: Only use 'act on' with a clear object.

Practice

ACT ON – 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 board decided to act on the researcher’s recommendations to enhance the project.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Citizens acted on the mayor’s call for community involvement in local events.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Faced with adversity, they acted on their principles of peace and unity.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

respond to follow through on

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“The committee decided to ___ on the new proposal for the school.”

act is

act on

acted in

acting up

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Act On

What is the origin of act on?

The phrase 'act on' originates from Middle English, combining the verb 'act' meaning 'to do' with the preposition 'on', implying reliance upon a basis for action.

Can act on be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Act on' is versatile, fitting both formal and informal settings. Whether in business meetings or casual conversations, it's suitable for indicating action based on information.

What is the difference between act on and respond to?

'Act on' suggests proactive measures based on inputs, whereas 'respond to' indicates reactive interactions, often following an event or inquiry.

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