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 'Make Do': Definition and Usage

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'make do' means to manage with the limited resources available, finding effective solutions despite constraints or shortages.

Examples in context

Despite the shortages, the community learned to make do with creative solutions.
The backpackers made do with minimal gear during their trek.
In the small apartment, they make do with limited space for storage.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'make do' means to manage with the limited resources available, finding effective solutions despite constraints or shortages.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The object cannot be placed between 'make' and 'do'.

Informal

Commonly used in casual conversation, less so in formal writing.

Transitive

'Make do' does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	make do	We make do with what we have.
Past Simple	made do	During the power outage, we made do with candles.
Present Continuous	making do	They are making do without a car right now.
Present Perfect	have made do	She has made do through tougher times.

💡 When to Use

Limited resources

Use when describing a situation where one must manage with scarce resources or inadequate supplies.

Example: "Families often make do during economic downturns."

Unexpected circumstances

Use when dealing with unforeseen events, requiring resourcefulness or improvisation to cope.

Example: "We had to make do after the luggage was lost."

Everyday constraints

Use in daily life when constrained by time, space, or materials, necessitating practical solutions.

Example: "Students often make do with shared textbooks."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect usage of position

❌ Wrong: She made do it with old wood.

✅ Correct: She made do with old wood.

💡 Tip: Do not insert objects between 'make' and 'do'.

Incorrect verb form

❌ Wrong: We was making do with little.

✅ Correct: We were making do with little.

💡 Tip: Ensure correct verb form with 'to be'.

Using as a transitive verb

❌ Wrong: We made do the broken chair.

✅ Correct: We made do with the broken chair.

💡 Tip: Remember 'make do' is intransitive.

Practice

MAKE DO - 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

Despite the shortages, the community learned to make do with creative solutions.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

The backpackers made do with minimal gear during their trek.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

In the small apartment, they make do with limited space for storage.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

manage cope

Antonyms

luxuriate

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"In tough times, we must learn to ____ with less."

make

make do

create

"In times of scarcity, those who learn to make do cultivate resilience, finding abundance within constraint and strength in adversity."

In Context

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, countless families across the United States learned to make do with the little they had. A particularly poignant story is that of Clara Brown, a resourceful mother of four living in rural Nebraska. Her husband had lost his job, leaving the family struggling. Despite these challenges, Clara became a beacon of hope by turning to farming and crafts to make ends meet. She would mend old clothes, turning them into quilts or patchworks, finding innovative uses for every scrap of fabric to make do. The Browns had a small plot of land where Clara grew vegetables. She traded surplus produce with neighbors, ensuring her family could make do without spending precious cash. Through cooperation and an indomitable spirit, Clara taught her children the importance of community and resilience. The middle of the story focuses on a particularly harsh winter. Their meager food stocks dwindled, yet Clara found ways to incorporate wild plants into meals, stretching limited supplies even further. Neighbors would seek advice from Clara, learning new techniques to make do with their resources. By the end of the Depression, her family's creativity and determination had not only helped them to survive but also to thrive. Years later, her children would recount tales of resilience at family gatherings, immortalizing her legacy of making do under pressure and setting an example for generations to come.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Do

What is the origin of make do?

The phrase 'make do' originated in the mid-19th century, reflecting the era's ethos of frugality and resourcefulness. Rooted in practical necessity, it became widely used as people faced limited resources and needed to find ways to manage and adapt effectively.

Can make do be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Make do' is primarily used in informal contexts, fitting well in everyday conversations where resourcefulness is required. In formal writing or speech, it might be replaced by words like 'manage' or 'cope,' which carry a similar meaning but with a more formal tone.

What is the difference between make do and manage?

While 'make do' emphasizes doing without or improvising in the face of scarcity, 'manage' carries a broader meaning of handling situations, often with implication of achieving success or efficiency. Both imply coping, but 'make do' suggests greater constraint or adaptation.

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

MAKE DO - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Do

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega