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 'Fall Apart'

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'fall apart' means to break into pieces or fail completely, often used to describe both physical disintegration and emotional breakdowns.

Examples in context

After the scandal, his political career started to fall apart.
The old coral reef was slowly falling apart due to pollution.
Our holiday plans fell apart when the flights got canceled.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'fall apart' means to break into pieces or fail completely, often used to describe both physical disintegration and emotional breakdowns.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Cannot be separated by other words.

Neutral

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Does not require a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	fall apart	The old house will fall apart without repairs.
Past Simple	fell apart	His plan fell apart in the final stages.
Present Continuous	falling apart	The team is falling apart under pressure.
Present Perfect	have fallen apart	Several projects have fallen apart due to lack of funding.

💡 When to Use

Emotional breakdown

Use when describing someone emotionally breaking down or losing composure.

Example: "She began to fall apart after the bad news."

Structural failure

Use when describing something physically disintegrating or breaking down over time.

Example: "The ancient bridge is beginning to fall apart."

Plan or project failure

Use when referring to a plan or project that fails to succeed or collapse.

Example: "When key data was lost, the experiment fell apart."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using it with a direct object

❌ Wrong: She fell the book apart.

✅ Correct: The book fell apart.

💡 Tip: Remember it doesn't take a direct object.

Confusing with 'fall down'

❌ Wrong: The building fell down.

✅ Correct: The building fell apart.

💡 Tip: 'Down' implies vertical motion; 'apart' is disintegration.

Using it separably

❌ Wrong: Fall the project apart.

✅ Correct: The project fell apart.

💡 Tip: Keep 'fall apart' together as a phrase.

Practice

FALL 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

After the scandal, his political career started to fall apart.
Economic Roots of the Tiny House Idea
2
Listen to example

The old coral reef was slowly falling apart due to pollution.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
3
Listen to example

Our holiday plans fell apart when the flights got canceled.
Alternative Communities and Camping Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

disintegrate collapse

Antonyms

hold together

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The fragile chair began to ___ under his weight."

fall above

fall apart

fall across

fall within

"When our plans fall apart, it's the courage to rebuild that forges the resilience of our spirit and the depth of our character."

In Context

In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire devastated the burgeoning city of Chicago. The city, known for its wooden buildings, rapidly fell apart as flames consumed everything in their path. People fled in panic, structures collapsed, and the fire rendered thousands homeless. The aftermath was a city in ruins; infrastructure had literally fallen apart as rubble and ash covered the streets. Despite the destruction, Chicago did not remain in disarray for long. Visionaries like Daniel Burnham emerged with ambitious plans to redesign the city's landscape. As they began rebuilding, the city metaphorically fell apart on paper first, as plans were scrapped and redrawn multiple times to ensure Chicago would rise stronger and more resilient. New innovations in architecture and urban planning took shape, introducing fireproof materials and wider streets. Within decades, Chicago transformed into a hub of industry and culture, a testament to human resilience and ingenuity. The city that had once fallen apart became a symbol of rebirth and innovation, proving that from the ashes of disaster, greatness can rise.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fall Apart

What is the origin of fall apart?

The phrase 'fall apart' has roots in the 19th century, commonly used to describe both physical disintegration and metaphorical failures in plans or emotions.

Can fall apart be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'fall apart' is suitable for both contexts. It can describe anything from a failed business plan in a formal report to an emotional breakdown in casual conversation.

What is the difference between fall apart and disintegrate?

'Fall apart' often implies a sudden breakdown, while 'disintegrate' suggests a gradual process. 'Fall apart' is more informal, whereas 'disintegrate' suits formal contexts.

Browse All Tiny House 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

FALL APART - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fall Apart

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega