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 'Run Around'

"Running around in circles doesn't solve problems; instead, focus your energy to break the loop and achieve clarity."

📖 Definition

Run around means to move or act quickly and aimlessly from place to place, often indicating a sense of urgency or chaos.

Examples in context

Parents often run around managing their children's activities and household tasks simultaneously.
The assistant ran around the office delivering urgent messages to the staff.
During the holiday rush, shoppers run around trying to find last-minute gifts.

📖 Definition

Run around means to move or act quickly and aimlessly from place to place, often indicating a sense of urgency or chaos.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrase is fixed and cannot be separated.

Informal

Used in casual conversation due to its playful or chaotic implication.

Transitive

Does not require a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	run around	I often run around trying to finish errands.
Past Simple	ran around	Yesterday, I ran around the city all day.
Present Continuous	running around	She is running around preparing for the event.
Present Perfect	have run around	I have run around all week without rest.

💡 When to Use

During busy schedules

Use when describing activities involving multiple tasks or movements in a hectic time frame.

Example: "I've been running around all morning getting things ready for the party."

Expressing chaotic movement

Apply when illustrating unordered or frantic actions taking place in different locations.

Example: "The kids have been running around the park since noon."

Describing aimless actions

Appropriate for scenarios where actions or efforts appear disorganized or lacking focus.

Example: "She spends her weekends running around without any real plan."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Misuse in formal writing

❌ Wrong: The CEO runs around improving department efficiency.

✅ Correct: The CEO coordinates efforts to improve department efficiency.

💡 Tip: Use more formal synonyms in business contexts.

Incorrect verb tense

❌ Wrong: He will ran around the city tomorrow.

✅ Correct: He will run around the city tomorrow.

💡 Tip: Ensure verb agreement in tense and form.

Misunderstanding meaning

❌ Wrong: She runs around to relax in the evening.

✅ Correct: She goes for a run to relax in the evening.

💡 Tip: Recognize 'run around' implies chaos, not relaxation.

Practice

RUN AROUND - 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

Parents often run around managing their children's activities and household tasks simultaneously.
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2
Listen to example

The assistant ran around the office delivering urgent messages to the staff.
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3
Listen to example

During the holiday rush, shoppers run around trying to find last-minute gifts.
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Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

rush around dash about

Antonyms

stay put

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The manager had us all ___ around to meet the deadline."

running

run around

run

ran

In Context

Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing, spent her early years running around the family estate in Derbyshire, dreaming of ways to help others. In 1854, during the Crimean War, she ran around the battlefield hospitals, organizing resources and managing her nurses amidst challenging conditions. Her relentless running around to care for the sick and wounded improved sanitary conditions immensely. Under her guidance, the hospital death rate fell dramatically. In later years, Nightingale ran around less physically but channeled her enthusiasm into writing. Her book 'Notes on Nursing,' published in 1859, became a cornerstone for nursing education. Nightingale's initial running around laid the groundwork for a lifetime of purposeful movement towards her goals. Her legacy continues worldwide in the form of established nursing practices and health reforms. Nightingale's tireless dedication proved that running around with purpose, rather than aimlessly, can bring sustainable change and inspire generations.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Run Around

What is the origin of run around?

The phrase 'run around' likely evolved from the literal movement of running in circles or different locations quickly, used metaphorically since the mid-20th century to describe chaotic or busy actions.

Can run around be used in formal and informal contexts?

Run around is typically used in informal contexts due to its colloquial nature, often implying disorganized or hectic activity. In formal writing, consider using more precise language to convey specific actions.

What is the difference between run around and rush around?

Both suggest quick movement, but 'run around' often implies a lack of direction or plan, whereas 'rush around' indicates urgency and haste with a clearer purpose.

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

RUN AROUND - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Run Around

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega