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 'Look Back On'

📖 Definition

To 'look back on' means to reflect upon or review past experiences or events. It involves considering or reminiscing about earlier times, often with a mix of emotions.

Examples in context

He looked back on his years in college with great nostalgia.
In the speech, she looked back on all the challenges overcome.
Executives often look back on previous strategies to plan their next steps.

📖 Definition

To 'look back on' means to reflect upon or review past experiences or events. It involves considering or reminiscing about earlier times, often with a mix of emotions.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb cannot be separated by other words.

Neutral

Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete the meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	look back on	I often look back on my childhood with fondness.
Past Simple	looked back on	She looked back on her career with pride.
Present Continuous	looking back on	He's looking back on his past decisions.
Present Perfect	have looked back on	We have looked back on our trip with joy.

💡 When to Use

Reflecting on personal experiences

Use when recalling past events or memories, often to draw lessons or gain perspective.

Example: "She looked back on her school days to write her memoir."

Evaluating historical events

Useful in educational or analytical contexts when reviewing and analyzing historical occurrences.

Example: "Historians look back on ancient civilizations to understand cultural development."

Nostalgic conversations

Common in casual dialogues about the past, highlighting emotion or sentimental value.

Example: "During reunions, friends look back on all their adventures."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Wrong object placement

❌ Wrong: I look on my childhood back with fondness.

✅ Correct: I look back on my childhood with fondness.

💡 Tip: Keep 'back on' together after the verb.

Using with incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: She looks back on her childhood yesterday.

✅ Correct: She looked back on her childhood yesterday.

💡 Tip: Match verb tense with the time reference.

Omitting direct object

❌ Wrong: He always looks back fondly.

✅ Correct: He always looks back on his past fondly.

💡 Tip: Always include what is being looked back on.

Practice

LOOK BACK ON - 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

He looked back on his years in college with great nostalgia.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

In the speech, she looked back on all the challenges overcome.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Executives often look back on previous strategies to plan their next steps.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

reflect on reminisce about

Antonyms

look forward to

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"She enjoys spending time to ___ her past travels and adventures."

look over

look back on

look for

look into

"When we look back on our lives, the threads of choice and consequence weave a tapestry of lessons and growth for tomorrow."

In Context

Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl, chronicled her life in hiding during World War II. In her diary, Anne would often look back on happier times before the Nazis rose to power. She reminisced about her school life, family gatherings, and simpler days of freedom, contrasting them with her current confinement in the Annex. As rationing became harsher and tensions grew, Anne's entries evolved. She began to look back on her personal growth, realizing how her experiences shaped her outlook. Writing became her solace, a way to process fears and hopes. When she looked back on entries written months earlier, Anne noted her maturity and understanding of human nature. Tragically, in August 1944, the Annex residents were betrayed and deported to concentration camps. Anne's diary, however, survived, preserved by friends and family. Her father, Otto Frank, the sole survivor from the Annex, was given the diary after the war. As he read Anne’s words, he often looked back on the innocence and insightfulness of his daughter, her dreams, and how she envisioned a world of peace and understanding. Today, Anne's diary remains a profound legacy, urging everyone to look back on history to avoid repeating its darkest chapters.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Look Back On

What is the origin of look back on?

The phrasal verb 'look back on' originates from the literal act of looking over one's shoulder to see the past, metaphorically extending to mental reflection. Its usage in English emerged in the early 19th century, reflecting human tendencies to review past experiences.

Can look back on be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Look back on' is neutral, so it fits both formal and informal contexts. Its flexibility makes it suitable for casual conversation about memories, as well as formal analysis in academic or professional scenarios, without any change in meaning.

What is the difference between look back on and reflect on?

'Look back on' and 'reflect on' are often interchangeable. However, 'reflect on' implies deeper consideration and analysis, while 'look back on' can involve lighter, nostalgic, or emotional connotations without in-depth analysis required.

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

LOOK BACK ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Look Back On

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega