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

Push Apart: Meaning, Uses & Historical Context

"When life and ambition push apart the closest of friends, only true understanding and forgiveness can bridge the distance again."

📖 Definition

To push apart means to cause things or people to become separated or distanced from each other, whether physically or emotionally.

Examples in context

Cultural differences ultimately pushed apart the once harmonious neighborhood.
Rumors started to push apart members of the once-close group.
Time and distance can push apart even the closest friends if not carefully managed.

📖 Definition

To push apart means to cause things or people to become separated or distanced from each other, whether physically or emotionally.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can appear between the verb and the particle.

Neutral

This phrasal verb can be used in both casual and semi-formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object that is being separated or distanced.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	push apart	Disagreements often push apart long-time allies.
Past Simple	pushed apart	The conflict pushed apart families and friends.
Present Continuous	pushing apart	Rising tensions are pushing apart the community.
Present Perfect	have pushed apart	The years have pushed apart the siblings in many ways.

💡 When to Use

Describing separation

Use when referring to the act of creating distance or separation, either physically or emotionally, between entities.

Example: "The political differences pushed apart former allies."

Explaining division

Employ this term when detailing how conflicts or ideas cause splits within groups or relationships.

Example: "Financial disagreements pushed apart their business partnership."

Discussing alienation

Perfect for highlighting emotional distancing due to misunderstanding or unresolved conflicts.

Example: "Their differing values gradually pushed apart their friendship."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: They push the siblings apart constantly.

✅ Correct: They push apart the siblings constantly.

💡 Tip: Remember: 'push apart' is separable, but keep object placement intuitive.

Confusing with 'push away'

❌ Wrong: He pushed apart the negative thoughts.

✅ Correct: He pushed away the negative thoughts.

💡 Tip: Use 'push apart' for separation between entities, not within oneself.

Incorrect tense use

❌ Wrong: They have been push apart for years.

✅ Correct: They have been pushed apart for years.

💡 Tip: Use the correct past participle form 'pushed'.

Practice

PUSH APART - 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

Cultural differences ultimately pushed apart the once harmonious neighborhood.
The World In Your Pocket
2
Listen to example

Rumors started to push apart members of the once-close group.
The World In Your Pocket
3
Listen to example

Time and distance can push apart even the closest friends if not carefully managed.
The World In Your Pocket

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

separate divide

Antonyms

unite

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Differing opinions can ___ the closest of companions."

push away

push apart

pull apart

pull together

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Push Apart

What is the origin of push apart?

The phrase combines the basic verb 'push' meaning to move something away and 'apart' indicating separation, first recorded in modern English texts during the 19th century.

Can push apart be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'push apart' is suitable for both casual conversations and semi-formal writing, given its versatility in describing physical and emotional separation.

What is the difference between push apart and separate?

While 'push apart' emphasizes an act causing separation often involving force or influence, 'separate' generally denotes division without implying how it occurs.

Browse All The World In Your Pocket 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

PUSH APART - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Push Apart

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega