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 'Cut Out' - Definition & Examples

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'cut out' means to remove or stop something, particularly something unnecessary or inappropriate, often for simplification or improvement.

Examples in context

He needs to cut out snacks before dinner to maintain a healthy weight.
If you cut out unnecessary expenses, you'll save more money.
She has cut out all distractions to focus on writing her novel.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'cut out' means to remove or stop something, particularly something unnecessary or inappropriate, often for simplification or improvement.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between the verb and particle or after the particle.

Neutral

Can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	cut out	She needs to cut out sugar for health reasons.
Past Simple	cut out	He cut out all distractions to concentrate on his work.
Present Continuous	cutting out	They are cutting out unhealthy foods from their diet.
Present Perfect	have cut out	I have cut out caffeine completely.

💡 When to Use

Improving a habit

Used when removing a habit or element from one's life for self-improvement or health.

Example: "He decided to cut out smoking to improve his lung capacity."

Simplifying a process

Used when simplifying a process by removing unnecessary steps or elements.

Example: "The manager cut out redundant paperwork to streamline the process."

Removing an obstacle

Used when eliminating an obstacle or issue that hindered progress.

Example: "She cut out toxic relationships to focus on her career."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Misplaced object

❌ Wrong: Cut out it from your diet.

✅ Correct: Cut it out from your diet.

💡 Tip: Place the object between the verb and particle if needed.

Wrong verb form

❌ Wrong: She cuts out sugar last year.

✅ Correct: She cut out sugar last year.

💡 Tip: Use past form for past actions.

Incorrect context use

❌ Wrong: He cut out for work immediately.

✅ Correct: He cut out the error from the report.

💡 Tip: Ensure the context makes sense for removal or elimination.

Practice

CUT 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

He needs to cut out snacks before dinner to maintain a healthy weight.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

If you cut out unnecessary expenses, you'll save more money.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

She has cut out all distractions to focus on writing her novel.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

eliminate remove

Antonyms

include

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"To focus better, you should ___ distractions."

cut in

cut out

cut off

cut through

"Sometimes you must cut out negativity to allow positivity to flourish and guide your path towards happiness and contentment."

In Context

In the 19th century, Ada Lovelace emerged as a pioneer in computing, even before such a field was formally recognized. Born in 1815, Ada was the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byron and was introduced to mathematics at an early age. Under the tutelage of her mother, who wanted to cut out any poetic influence Lord Byron might have imparted, Ada developed a passion for mathematics. Her significant contribution came when she met Charles Babbage in the 1830s. Babbage was developing his mechanical general-purpose computer, known as the Analytical Engine. While the world was yet to comprehend the potential of such a machine, Lovelace's mind could cut out the noise of skepticism and see its future implications. She wrote extensive notes on Babbage’s machine, which included an algorithm intended to be carried out by a machine. This is considered the first algorithm of its kind, and for this reason, she is often credited as the first computer programmer. Lovelace saw that the Analytical Engine could cut out repetitive tasks and perform more than just calculations; it could create art and music, given the right inputs. Unfortunately, Ada's life was cut out short, as she passed away from illness at 36, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be celebrated in the history of computing.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Cut Out

What is the origin of cut out?

The phrase 'cut out' originates from tailoring, where pieces of fabric are 'cut out' to later be sewn together, denoting removal or exclusion.

Can cut out be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Cut out' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, whether discussing lifestyle changes or business practices.

What is the difference between cut out and eliminate?

While 'cut out' often implies a personal or deliberate choice to remove, 'eliminate' can suggest a more final or forcible removal.

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

CUT OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Cut Out

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega