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 'Come On': Meanings and Usage

"When challenges come on, it is the resilient spirit that binds persistence with wisdom to forge the path to success."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'come on' primarily means to make progress, appear, or initiate. It can also indicate that something is developing or that someone is making an encouraging gesture or urging action.

Examples in context

As soon as the TV show came on, the kids rushed into the living room to watch.
Come on, you know you've got what it takes to win this competition!
The autumn rains came on swiftly, drenching the countryside overnight.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'come on' primarily means to make progress, appear, or initiate. It can also indicate that something is developing or that someone is making an encouraging gesture or urging action.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

'Come on' cannot have an object placed between the words.

Informal

'Come on' is used in conversational contexts rather than formal speech or writing.

Transitive

'Come on' does not require a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	come on	You can do it; come on!
Past Simple	came on	The rain came on suddenly last night.
Present Continuous	coming on	The TV show is coming on in ten minutes.
Present Perfect	have come on	We have come on a lot since yesterday.

💡 When to Use

Encouraging someone

Use 'come on' when motivating or urging someone to proceed with an action or continue trying.

Example: "Come on, you can finish this race!"

Describing progress

Utilize 'come on' to describe when something is starting to develop or make progress.

Example: "The project is really starting to come on now."

Sudden appearance

Apply 'come on' to describe something that appears or starts suddenly, like weather or feelings.

Example: "A headache came on as I entered the noisy room."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect separability

❌ Wrong: He comes it on strongly.

✅ Correct: He comes on strongly.

💡 Tip: 'Come on' is not separable, keep it together.

Formal context use

❌ Wrong: We came on in the report.

✅ Correct: We made progress in the report.

💡 Tip: Avoid 'come on' in formal settings.

Improper tense usage

❌ Wrong: The movie is coming at 8 PM.

✅ Correct: The movie is coming on at 8 PM.

💡 Tip: Include 'on' for proper meaning.

Practice

COME 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

As soon as the TV show came on, the kids rushed into the living room to watch.
Voices Across Distance
2
Listen to example

Come on, you know you've got what it takes to win this competition!
Voices Across Distance
3
Listen to example

The autumn rains came on swiftly, drenching the countryside overnight.
Voices Across Distance

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

progress advance

Antonyms

halt

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Suddenly, dark clouds ___ and it began to rain."

come by

come on

come off

come thru

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Come On

What is the origin of 'come on'?

'Come on' has English origins dating back to the 14th century. It evolved from Old English expressions, merging 'come' and 'on' to denote motion, transition, or emergence. Over centuries, its meanings expanded to include encouragement and unexpected development, becoming widespread in colloquial English.

Can 'come on' be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Come on' is mainly informal, suited for conversations or casual settings. While rarely used in formal writing, its tone of encouragement can apply to motivational speeches, provided the context is suitable. In formal contexts, consider synonyms like 'progress' or 'advance'.

What is the difference between 'come on' and 'progress'?

While both indicate development, 'come on' suggests an initial or unexpected onset and is less formal, often conveying encouragement or a sudden appearance. 'Progress' is more formal, focusing on gradual development over time, suitable for academic and professional contexts.

Browse All Voices Across Distance 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

COME ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Come On

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega