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 'Passed Down'

"Wisdom is best passed down through generations, ensuring that the lessons of yesterday illuminate the path of tomorrow."

📖 Definition

Passed down refers to the transmission of knowledge, traditions, stories, or objects from one generation to the next, ensuring their preservation.

Examples in context

The heirloom was lovingly passed down through each generation of the family.
His grandma's stories, passed down, kept the family history alive for years.
These values have been passed down from parents to children for many years.

📖 Definition

Passed down refers to the transmission of knowledge, traditions, stories, or objects from one generation to the next, ensuring their preservation.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb 'passed down' cannot be split by its object.

Neutral

This phrase can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object, i.e., what or who is being passed down.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	pass down	Families often pass down traditions during holidays.
Past Simple	passed down	The recipe was passed down from her grandmother.
Present Continuous	passing down	They are passing down valuable skills to the next generation.
Present Perfect	have passed down	The legends have been passed down for centuries.

💡 When to Use

Teaching history

Use it when referring to conveying historical events, customs, or lessons from one generation to another.

Example: "The festival's origins were passed down through storytelling."

Family traditions

Apply it when discussing how family customs and values are relayed through generations.

Example: "Many recipes in our family have been passed down for decades."

Cultural heritage

Utilize it to describe the transmission of cultural practices and artifacts over time.

Example: "The crafts were passed down, preserving cultural heritage."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: Passed traditions down to the children.

✅ Correct: Passed down traditions to the children.

💡 Tip: Keep the phrase 'passed down' together.

Tense confusion

❌ Wrong: They pass downed the stories for years.

✅ Correct: They passed down the stories for years.

💡 Tip: Remember not to add 'ed' to the current form.

Incorrect use of articles

❌ Wrong: It has been a passed down artifact.

✅ Correct: It has been an artifact passed down.

💡 Tip: Place 'passed down' after the noun it modifies.

Practice

PASSED DOWN - 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 heirloom was lovingly passed down through each generation of the family.
Words Multiplied
2
Listen to example

His grandma's stories, passed down, kept the family history alive for years.
Words Multiplied
3
Listen to example

These values have been passed down from parents to children for many years.
Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

handed down bequeathed

Antonyms

withheld

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The treasured tales were ___ down for centuries."

pass

passed down

passing

passes

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Passed Down

What is the origin of passed down?

Passed down originated from the physical act of passing items to another person. As cultures evolved, the phrase came to symbolize the transmission of intangible things like concepts, traditions, and stories.

Can passed down be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'passed down' is versatile and fits both formal contexts, like academic writing, and informal settings, such as casual conversation, to describe inheritance of intangible items.

What is the difference between passed down and handed down?

Both phrases refer to the transmission of items or ideas, but 'handed down' typically suggests a more personal or intimate transfer, while 'passed down' may imply a broader cultural or historical context.

Browse All Words Multiplied 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

PASSED DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Passed Down

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega