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 'Drag On': Definition, Use & History

"In the marathon of life, let not the mile drag on too long; find joy in every step."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'drag on' means to continue for a longer time than expected or necessary, often in a tedious or unwelcome manner.

Examples in context

The preparations for the festival dragged on into the night with endless tasks.
Conversations about the budget seem to drag on without any resolution in sight.
Despite good intentions, the movie dragged on, losing most of its audience's interest.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'drag on' means to continue for a longer time than expected or necessary, often in a tedious or unwelcome manner.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrasal verb cannot have its parts separated.

Neutral

Usable in both formal and informal contexts without register constraints.

Transitive

Does not require a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	drag on	The meeting tends to drag on without any conclusion.
Past Simple	dragged on	The debate dragged on for hours yesterday.
Present Continuous	dragging on	The party was dragging on longer than expected.
Present Perfect	have dragged on	The negotiations have dragged on without a resolution.

💡 When to Use

Long-lasting meetings

When a meeting continues longer than expected, use 'drag on' to express monotony or frustration.

Example: "The committee session dragged on into the evening."

Ongoing conflicts

In military or personal conflicts, use 'drag on' if they extend unduly, causing fatigue or concern.

Example: "The war dragged on for five more years."

Prolonged events

Suitable when describing any event that extends beyond its anticipated duration, especially when it's tedious.

Example: "The lecture dragged on longer than planned."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect verb agreement

❌ Wrong: The class are dragging on unnecessarily.

✅ Correct: The class is dragging on unnecessarily.

💡 Tip: Use 'is' for singular subjects.

Improper separation

❌ Wrong: Drag the meeting on by another hour.

✅ Correct: The meeting dragged on for another hour.

💡 Tip: Remember 'drag on' is inseparable.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: The project drag on yesterday.

✅ Correct: The project dragged on yesterday.

💡 Tip: Use the past form 'dragged on' for past contexts.

Practice

DRAG 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 preparations for the festival dragged on into the night with endless tasks.
Voices Across Distance
2
Listen to example

Conversations about the budget seem to drag on without any resolution in sight.
Voices Across Distance
3
Listen to example

Despite good intentions, the movie dragged on, losing most of its audience's interest.
Voices Across Distance

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

prolong extend

Antonyms

end

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The meeting continued to ___ well after closing time."

stretch out

drag on

finish

complete

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Drag On

What is the origin of 'drag on'?

The term 'drag on' originates from the early use of 'drag' meaning to pull along slowly. It implies continuing tediously beyond usual progress, seen in literature as early as the 16th century.

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

'Drag on' is neutral, suitable in both formal and informal settings when describing prolonged situations, making it versatile across various contexts, like work meetings or casual conversations.

What is the difference between 'drag on' and 'prolong'?

'Drag on' suggests a tedious or unwelcome extension, while 'prolong' implies an intentional extension, often positive. Use 'drag on' for unwelcome delays, and 'prolong' for deliberate extensions.

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

DRAG ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Drag On

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega