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 'Break Out'

“Life's challenges prompt us to break out of our comfort zones, urging growth and innovation through adversity and change.”

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb ‘break out’ means to escape from a place, start suddenly, or appear suddenly. It can describe sudden occurrences such as fires, epidemics, or conflicts. It can also refer to escaping confinement or initiating something energetically.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb and particle should not be separated.

Neutral

Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Does not take a direct object; focuses on sudden starts or expansions.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	break out	Fires often break out during dry seasons.
Past Simple	broke out	Chaos broke out after the announcement.
Present Continuous	breaking out	They are breaking out of their shells, gaining confidence.
Present Perfect	have broken out	Several conflicts have broken out over the years.

💡 When to Use

Sudden occurrence of events

Use 'break out' to describe situations that begin suddenly and often unexpectedly, such as a fight or a disease.

Example: “A sudden protest broke out in the city center.”

Escaping confinement

Employ 'break out' to describe someone or something escaping or fleeing from confinement or restraint.

Example: “The prisoners managed to break out of jail during the night.”

Sudden visible appearance

Use 'break out' for something that becomes visible or starts to develop quickly, like a rash or blotch.

Example: “His skin began to break out in hives after eating nuts.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect separation

❌ Wrong: Break the fire out before it spreads.

✅ Correct: Break out the fire before it spreads.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'break out' should not be separated when used.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: The epidemic breaked out last year.

✅ Correct: The epidemic broke out last year.

💡 Tip: Use the correct past tense form 'broke out'.

Misuse intransitively

❌ Wrong: They broke out the confusion.

✅ Correct: Confusion broke out suddenly.

💡 Tip: 'Break out' does not take a direct object.

Practice

BREAK 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

A massive storm is predicted to break out tomorrow.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Revolts broke out across the kingdom against the unjust ruler.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

His creativity broke out when he finally opened his own studio.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

erupt emerge

Antonyms

cease

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“A debate is likely to ___ during the meeting.”

break

break out

broke

breaking

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Break Out

What is the origin of break out?

The phrasal verb 'break out' comes from the combination of 'break,' meaning to separate into parts, and 'out,' indicating motion or action away or outward. It's been used since the 15th century to describe both sudden beginnings and escapes from confinement.

Can break out be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Break out' is versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in everyday speech as well as in more formal writings, such as historical texts or academic studies, to describe sudden events or escapes.

What is the difference between break out and erupt?

While 'break out' and 'erupt' can both describe sudden occurrences, 'erupt' is often used more specifically for natural disasters or emotional outbursts, like volcanoes or anger. 'Break out' is broader, covering sudden events like conflicts, pandemics, or escapes from confinement.

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