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 'Drift Apart': Meaning and Usage

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'drift apart' describes the gradual process of people or groups becoming less close or connected due to various life circumstances.

Examples in context

Over decades, childhood friends can drift apart due to differing life choices.
The business partners drifted apart after their goals no longer aligned.
Neighbors in the busy city often drift apart as daily interactions decrease.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'drift apart' describes the gradual process of people or groups becoming less close or connected due to various life circumstances.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb cannot be separated by an object.

Neutral

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	drift apart	As they grew up, the two friends began to drift apart.
Past Simple	drifted apart	Over the years, the cousins drifted apart due to different interests.
Present Continuous	drifting apart	We are drifting apart as we head in different life directions.
Present Perfect	have drifted apart	Many siblings have drifted apart after moving to separate cities.

💡 When to Use

Growing distance in friendship

Use this when describing how friends or family members become less close over time.

Example: "Jane and I have drifted apart since we went to different universities."

Describing team dynamics

Use this to illustrate members of a team becoming less cohesive or aligned.

Example: "The team drifted apart after the project ended and they pursued different careers."

Emotional or relational distance

Use this to express emotional distance developing between people in a personal relationship.

Example: "Despite living together, they feel like they are drifting apart."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using with a direct object

❌ Wrong: They drifted apart their friendship.

✅ Correct: They drifted apart.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'drift apart' is intransitive.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: They are drift apart over time.

✅ Correct: They are drifting apart over time.

💡 Tip: Use continuous form for ongoing action.

Misplacing 'apart'

❌ Wrong: They drifted far apart now.

✅ Correct: They have drifted apart now.

💡 Tip: Keep phrasal verb components together.

"When friends drift apart, it's not the distance but life's subtle shifts that weave threads of solitude and change."

In Context

In the early 20th century, the intellectual partnership between Bertrand Russell and Alfred North Whitehead marked a significant chapter in the history of philosophy. Initially, their collaboration on 'Principia Mathematica' signified a profound synergy of minds, striving to bridge logic and mathematics. However, as time progressed, differing philosophical interests and personal circumstances began to pull them in divergent directions. Their once-aligned paths started to drift apart, influenced by the currents of personal priorities and evolving intellectual pursuits. Whitehead, focusing more on metaphysics and the philosophy of science, began to establish his own philosophical framework, distancing himself from the purely logical realm. Meanwhile, Russell ventured deeper into social activism and public discourse, a path that further diverged from Whitehead’s. Despite these changes, their foundational work in 'Principia Mathematica' remained an enduring testament to their collaboration. Ultimately, the drift apart did not erode mutual respect; they each acknowledged the other's contributions and continued impact on their respective fields. Their drifting apart elucidated the natural evolution of thought and the individual quests for understanding, reminding us that paths may diverge yet still honor foundational connections.

Practice

DRIFT APART - 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

Over decades, childhood friends can drift apart due to differing life choices.
The World in your Pocket
2
Listen to example

The business partners drifted apart after their goals no longer aligned.
The World in your Pocket
3
Listen to example

Neighbors in the busy city often drift apart as daily interactions decrease.
The World in your Pocket

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

grow apart lose touch

Antonyms

come together

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"As they matured, the siblings began to ___ apart."

sail

drift apart

come

spend

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Drift Apart

What is the origin of drift apart?

The phrase 'drift apart' grew from nautical lexicon, where 'drift' signifies a gradual movement away. Over time, it entered common language to describe social or emotional distancing.

Can drift apart be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'drift apart' is versatile and fits both formal and informal contexts. It clearly conveys relational distancing, making it suitable for various communicative needs.

What is the difference between drift apart and grow apart?

'Drift apart' and 'grow apart' are mostly synonymous but slightly nuanced: 'drift' suggests an uncontrolled separation, while 'grow' implies a gradual, more conscious distancing.

Browse Human Communication 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

In Context

DRIFT APART - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Drift Apart

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega