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 'Lay Out' in English

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb ‘lay out’ means to arrange, explain, or display something clearly for better understanding, often involving preparation or organization.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can come between 'lay' and 'out' or after 'out'.

Neutral

It fits both casual and slightly formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	lay out	They lay out the plan before the meeting.
Past Simple	laid out	She laid out the clothes for tomorrow.
Present Continuous	laying out	He is laying out the project details.
Present Perfect	have laid out	We have laid out all the documents required.

💡 When to Use

Planning events

Use this when detailing steps or elements needed to organize an event or project effectively.

Example: “She laid out the schedule for the conference.”

Explaining ideas

Useful for structuring ideas or arguments for clarity, especially in presentations or writings.

Example: “The professor laid out his theory in the lecture.”

Design and arrangement

Applied in contexts involving physical arrangement or design elements to ensure proper layout.

Example: “The architect laid out the floor plan superbly.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Misplacing object

❌ Wrong: I laid out my clothes them.

✅ Correct: I laid them out my clothes.

💡 Tip: Ensure object can appear before or after 'out'.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: He lays out yesterday.

✅ Correct: He laid out yesterday.

💡 Tip: Use past tense when referring to past events.

Incorrect form

❌ Wrong: She is lay out her ideas.

✅ Correct: She is laying out her ideas.

💡 Tip: Use continuous form when describing ongoing actions.

Practice

LAY OUT – 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 teacher laid out the exam guidelines clearly for the students.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

After the meeting, they laid out the steps to resolve the issue.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The blueprint clearly lays out all possible scenarios.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

organize arrange

Antonyms

confuse

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“The architect had to ___ out the design before construction.”

lied

lay out

lay

leer

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Lay Out

What is the origin of lay out?

The phrase 'lay out' originates from the 15th century. It combines the Old English 'lecgan' (to lay) and 'út' (out), indicating placing outside.

Can lay out be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'lay out' can be used in both contexts. It effectively fits in formal speeches, presentations, and casual conversations alike, describing arrangement or explanation.

What is the difference between lay out and organize?

'Lay out' often implies a physical arrangement or an explanation step-by-step, while 'organize' focuses on bringing order, not necessarily in a stepwise manner.

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