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 'Slow Down'

📖 Definition

To slow down means to reduce speed or pace, or to make something occur at a lower rate or intensity, often deliberately choosing to take more time to ensure quality or safety.

Examples in context

During the camping trip, we decided to slow down and appreciate the serene surroundings.
The manager advised the team to slow down to ensure all details were accurate.
Grandma always says to slow down and enjoy the little things in life.

📖 Definition

To slow down means to reduce speed or pace, or to make something occur at a lower rate or intensity, often deliberately choosing to take more time to ensure quality or safety.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Phrasal verb cannot be separated.

Neutral

Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Does not require a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	slow down	Please slow down when driving through the neighborhood.
Past Simple	slowed down	He slowed down his speech to ensure everyone understood.
Present Continuous	slowing down	The economy is slowing down due to recent policies.
Present Perfect	have slowed down	They have slowed down the process to focus on quality.

💡 When to Use

During high stress

Use 'slow down' when stress levels are high to suggest a decrease in pace for more manageable handling.

Example: "During the busy season, they decided to slow down to prevent burnout."

Safety measures

Use 'slow down' when indicating a reduction in speed or intensity for safety precautions.

Example: "Drivers must slow down in work zones to ensure safety."

Improving focus

Use 'slow down' when suggesting maintaining focus and quality over speed.

Example: "She chose to slow down her work to double-check details."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

omission of phrasal verb

❌ Wrong: Please slow your driving through the area.

✅ Correct: Please slow down your driving through the area.

💡 Tip: Remember to include 'down' to avoid ambiguity.

incorrect placement

❌ Wrong: Let's down slow to enjoy the view.

✅ Correct: Let's slow down to enjoy the view.

💡 Tip: 'Slow' and 'down' go together; don't invert them.

overuse in inappropriate context

❌ Wrong: He slows down writing fast.

✅ Correct: He writes quickly without slowing down.

💡 Tip: Use 'slow down' where appropriate, not to contradict speed.

Practice

SLOW 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

During the camping trip, we decided to slow down and appreciate the serene surroundings.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

The manager advised the team to slow down to ensure all details were accurate.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Grandma always says to slow down and enjoy the little things in life.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

decelerate ease up

Antonyms

speed up

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"You need to ___ when approaching the sharp curve ahead."

finish up

slow down

hurry up

jump up

"In the whirlwind of life’s tasks, slow down to truly see the essence of each fleeting moment and appreciate its profound meaning."

In Context

In 1903, the Wright brothers worked tirelessly to achieve powered flight. Their persistence led to the historic first flight at Kitty Hawk. However, their innovation faced skepticism. Invited to demonstrate their plane in France, they noticed how European aviation was racing ahead. The Wrights decided to slow down their progress to refine their designs. In France, during 1908, Wilbur Wright demonstrated their aircraft to great acclaim. By slowing down, they perfected their technology and stunned audiences, proving their critics wrong. Their story proves that sometimes, progress isn’t just about speed; it’s about precision and focus. As their success grew, they were awarded contracts in Europe and the U.S. Although competitors emerged, their decision to occasionally slow down cemented their legacy, ensuring that their names remain synonymous with the dawn of aviation.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Down

What is the origin of slow down?

The phrase 'slow down' emerged in the early 19th century, influenced by the need to manage speed in industrialization, especially with railways.

Can slow down be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'slow down' fits both formal and informal contexts, offering a universal way to suggest reducing pace or intensity.

What is the difference between slow down and decelerate?

'Slow down' and 'decelerate' both mean to reduce speed, but 'decelerate' is more formal and typically used in technical contexts.

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

SLOW DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Down

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega