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 'Look For': Meaning and Usage

"In every corner of life, while you look for answers, your journey unveils the true wisdom hidden in unpredictable paths."

📖 Definition

To search for something or someone actively, often with a sense of purpose or urgency, in hopes of finding it.

Examples in context

The detective spent all night looking for additional clues at the crime scene.
Scientists are looking for deeper insights into the climate change impacts.
Students often look for mentors who can guide them in their careers.

📖 Definition

To search for something or someone actively, often with a sense of purpose or urgency, in hopes of finding it.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can come between 'look' and 'for'.

Neutral

Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	look for	They always look for new opportunities.
Past Simple	looked for	He looked for his missing keys everywhere.
Present Continuous	looking for	She is looking for her lost dog.
Present Perfect	have looked for	We have looked for a solution for days.

💡 When to Use

searching for items

Use when you are actively seeking lost or needed items, such as keys or documents.

Example: "I'm looking for my glasses; have you seen them?"

seeking abstract concepts

Employ this phrase when seeking non-tangible outcomes, such as answers or ideas.

Example: "She is looking for inspiration for her next novel."

hunting for opportunities

Apply in scenarios where you seek opportunities, like jobs or partnerships.

Example: "He is looking for a new job in marketing."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

incorrect word order

❌ Wrong: For my keys, I look.

✅ Correct: I look for my keys.

💡 Tip: Remember: Look first, then for the item.

incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: I am look for a job.

✅ Correct: I am looking for a job.

💡 Tip: Use 'looking' for continuous tense.

incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: Look at your keys.

✅ Correct: Look for your keys.

💡 Tip: Use 'for' when searching; 'at' is for observing.

Practice

LOOK FOR - 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 detective spent all night looking for additional clues at the crime scene.
Alternative Communities Hub
2
Listen to example

Scientists are looking for deeper insights into the climate change impacts.
Alternative Communities Hub
3
Listen to example

Students often look for mentors who can guide them in their careers.
Alternative Communities Hub

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

search for seek

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Every morning, I ___ for my phone before leaving home."

look

look for

look at

look after

In Context

During the World War II era, Alan Turing was diligently working to break the Enigma code used by Nazi Germany. His team at Bletchley Park was tasked to look for patterns and loopholes that would enable them to decode messages and shorten the war. Despite the overwhelming pressure and limited resources, Turing constructed the Bombe, an innovative machine to systematically look for possible settings of the Enigma machine each day. Unlike others, Turing did not look for immediate success; he believed in his work's long-term impact. His perseverance paid off as the Bombe's success helped decrypt vast quantities of German communications, significantly contributing to the Allied victory. After the war, Turing continued to look for new challenges, eventually laying the foundational principles of artificial intelligence. Although his contributions were not fully recognized during his lifetime due to secrecy and societal biases, Turing's legacy continues to thrive as his work laid the groundwork for modern computing and cryptography.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Look For

What is the origin of look for?

The phrase 'look for' has been used in the English language since at least the 14th century. The origin roots trace back to the Old English 'lǣcian' which means ‘to seize or capture light’. 'Look' evolved in its usage to mean deliberate searching.

Can look for be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'look for' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The phrase is neutral, meaning it suits various settings, whether you're casually mentioning a search or formally discussing strategic approaches in a professional environment.

What is the difference between look for and seek?

'Look for' and 'seek' are similar but differ in tone and context. 'Look for' is more commonly used in everyday language for tangible searches, while 'seek' has a slightly formal tone and is often used for more abstract pursuits or 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

LOOK FOR - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Look For

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega