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 Down

“When energy and spirits run down, it's wisdom that guides the heart to endure and revitalize one's purpose in life.”

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb ‘run down’ can mean to criticize, to deplete something, or for something to gradually lose its power or effectiveness over time.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can separate the verb and the particle with an object.

Neutral

Appropriate for most settings, neither too formal nor too informal.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object in sentences.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	run down	They often run down their competitors unfairly.
Past Simple	ran down	The battery ran down after hours of use.
Present Continuous	running down	She is running down the device’s efficiency.
Present Perfect	have run down	We have run down our resources significantly.

💡 When to Use

Expressing criticism

Use when you're talking about someone or something in a derogatory manner.

Example: “He always runs down his team in meetings.”

Describing depletion

Useful when indicating an object or resource is becoming depleted.

Example: “Our fuel supply is running down too fast.”

Object losing power

Applicable in contexts where mechanical or digital devices lose power.

Example: “The old clock began to run down.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect separation

❌ Wrong: Run it down your battery.

✅ Correct: Run down your battery.

💡 Tip: Place the object between 'run' and 'down'.

Confusion with run out

❌ Wrong: We have run down of milk.

✅ Correct: We have run out of milk.

💡 Tip: 'Run out' means completely depleted.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: She was running down when arrived.

✅ Correct: She ran down when we arrived.

💡 Tip: Ensure tense consistency in sentences.

Practice

RUN 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 general liked to run down his opponents publicly.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
2
Listen to example

As the sun set, the wind ran down and calmness ensued.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
3
Listen to example

Years of use have run down the machine’s efficiency.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

deplete criticize

Antonyms

charge up

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“The old clock started to ___ down as the night wore on.”

ran

run down

runs

runned

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Run Down

What is the origin of run down?

The phrase originated in the 17th century, initially used in nautical contexts to describe a ship being brought to rest or when its energy was expended.

Can run down be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Run down' is neutral and can be used in various settings. While common in conversational English, it can also be contextually suitable for formal writing.

What is the difference between run down and deplete?

While both indicate a reduction, 'run down' is more versatile in describing criticism and mechanical failures, unlike 'deplete', which focuses solely on resource reduction.

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