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 'Get Around': Definitions and Usage

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'get around' primarily means to move from place to place, or to spread or circulate among people. It can also mean to find ways to avoid something, like a rule or obstacle.

Examples in context

Local musicians get around by playing at various venues.
Rumors about the new policy quickly got around the office.
With so many bike lanes, it's easy to get around the city.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'get around' primarily means to move from place to place, or to spread or circulate among people. It can also mean to find ways to avoid something, like a rule or obstacle.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb cannot be split by an object; 'get' and 'around' must remain together.

Informal

Commonly used in casual speech and writing.

Transitive

Does not take a direct object; the movement or circulation is implied.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	get around	People get around town using public transport.
Past Simple	got around	News of the concert got around quickly.
Present Continuous	getting around	She is getting around the city by bike.
Present Perfect	have gotten around	They have gotten around the issue creatively.

💡 When to Use

Overcoming obstacles

Use when talking about bypassing or maneuvering around challenges, rules, or difficult situations.

Example: "He always finds a way to get around the regulations."

General movement

Use when describing how someone or something moves or travels to various places.

Example: "We get around the city on weekends."

Information spreading

Use when discussing how news, rumors, or information spreads among people.

Example: "The news got around the office in no time."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect use with a direct object

❌ Wrong: She got around the new car easily.

✅ Correct: She got around easily using the new car.

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

Order error

❌ Wrong: Around get we by using maps.

✅ Correct: We get around by using maps.

💡 Tip: Keep 'get' and 'around' together for clarity.

Misuse in formal writing

❌ Wrong: The document got around to all officials.

✅ Correct: The document was circulated to all officials.

💡 Tip: Use 'circulated' in formal contexts.

Practice

GET AROUND - 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

Local musicians get around by playing at various venues.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Rumors about the new policy quickly got around the office.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

With so many bike lanes, it's easy to get around the city.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

circulate travel

Antonyms

remain

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"How do you usually ___ your hometown?"

stay

get around

remain

stop

"To expand the mind, get around life’s obstacles with a curiosity that seeks, learns, and transforms through every experience encountered."

In Context

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell, a renowned inventor, showcased his latest device: the telephone. Despite initial skepticism, his invention began to get around through demonstrations and word of mouth. At the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Bell’s telephone exhibition fascinated attendees, confirming the potential of his invention. Despite the challenges of the era, news about the groundbreaking device managed to get around slowly but steadily. Bell’s efforts weren't limited to exhibitions; he also pursued patents and partnerships, knowing that in order to truly revolutionize communication, the concept needed to get around to wider audiences and investors. His persistence paid off when the Boston Globe featured his telephone, giving it broader visibility. Eventually, the device started to get around rapidly across the United States and the world. Today, the telephone symbolizes the major leap in communication that Bell envisioned. By ensuring his invention circulated through strategic presentations and media, Bell influenced how people connected across distances, forever altering human interaction.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Get Around

What is the origin of get around?

The phrase 'get around' originated in the mid-19th century as a colloquialism to describe the ease of moving from one place to another or the ease of spreading information.

Can get around be used in formal and informal contexts?

Primarily informal, 'get around' suits casual conversations about mobility or information spread. In formal writing, opt for 'circulate' or 'navigate' instead.

What is the difference between get around and circulate?

'Get around' implies physical movement or information spread informally, while 'circulate' is more formal, often used in written contexts to describe widespread distribution.

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

GET AROUND - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Get Around

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega