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 'Fed Off'

"In the garden of life, wisdom is fed off by experience, much like flowers fed off sunlight to bloom beautifully."

📖 Definition

To gain nourishment, energy, or inspiration from something or someone. Used metaphorically to describe deriving strength or sustenance in various contexts.

Examples in context

The company fed off the positive market trends to expand rapidly.
Children often fed off their parents' attitudes unconsciously.
Her creativity fed off the vibrant culture of the city she lived in.

📖 Definition

To gain nourishment, energy, or inspiration from something or someone. Used metaphorically to describe deriving strength or sustenance in various contexts.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The object or subject cannot be inserted between the verb and particle.

Neutral

Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object to indicate what is providing the sustenance.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	feeds off	He feeds off the energy of the audience.
Past Simple	fed off	She fed off the encouragement of her mentors.
Present Continuous	feeding off	They are feeding off each other's enthusiasm.
Present Perfect	have fed off	We have fed off the success of our predecessors.

💡 When to Use

Gaining energy from surroundings

Used when someone derives energy or motivation from an environment or group of people.

Example: "She feeds off the crowd's applause during her performances."

Inspiration from challenges

Applied when a person uses hardships as a source of motivation or strength.

Example: "He fed off the challenges to drive his ambition."

Growth from mentorship

Used when a person benefits and learns from someone's guidance or knowledge.

Example: "The young artist fed off his teacher's vast experience."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: He feed off the team's energy last night.

✅ Correct: He fed off the team's energy last night.

💡 Tip: Remember past tense of 'feed' is 'fed'.

Misplacing the object

❌ Wrong: They fed the enthusiasm off.

✅ Correct: They fed off the enthusiasm.

💡 Tip: Keep the object after 'fed off'.

Using intransitively

❌ Wrong: He fed off.

✅ Correct: He fed off their support.

💡 Tip: Always specify what is being fed off.

Practice

FED OFF - 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 company fed off the positive market trends to expand rapidly.
Words Multiplied
2
Listen to example

Children often fed off their parents' attitudes unconsciously.
Words Multiplied
3
Listen to example

Her creativity fed off the vibrant culture of the city she lived in.
Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

thrive on derive from

Antonyms

depleted by

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The artist ___ the vibrant city life around him for inspiration."

feed by

fed off

fed on

feeds of

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fed Off

What is the origin of fed off?

'Fed off' stems from the concept of deriving sustenance, similar to how animals rely on specific foods or environments for survival. It evolved metaphorically to describe gaining support or energy from intangible sources.

Can fed off be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'fed off' is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It effectively conveys gaining energy or motivation from various sources, whether in a professional environment or social settings.

What is the difference between fed off and thrive on?

'Fed off' often implies reliance on an external source for motivation or energy, whereas 'thrive on' suggests someone actively prospers or grows in a particular environment, often delighting in challenges or opportunities.

Browse All Words Multiplied 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

FED OFF - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fed Off

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega