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: Space Out

📖 Definition

To space out means to lose focus or concentration temporarily, often because of daydreaming, distraction, or a need for mental rest.

Examples in context

I often space out in the middle of a boring lecture.
She tends to space out when she's tired and stressed.
During the long flight, he spaced out and lost track of time.

📖 Definition

To space out means to lose focus or concentration temporarily, often because of daydreaming, distraction, or a need for mental rest.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrase does not take an object and thus cannot be separated by one.

Informal

The expression is commonly used in informal settings.

Transitive

It does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	space out	I often space out during long meetings.
Past Simple	spaced out	She spaced out while listening to the lecture.
Present Continuous	spacing out	He's spacing out instead of studying.
Present Perfect	have spaced out	They have spaced out several times during the seminar.

💡 When to Use

During tedious tasks

Use this when referring to losing focus because a task is monotonous or boring, causing the mind to drift elsewhere.

Example: "I tend to space out when filing these endless reports."

In moments of reflection

Use this when referring to losing sense of surrounding during deep thought or reflection, often leading to creative or profound insights.

Example: "While spacing out, I came up with a great idea."

When daydreaming

Use this when describing drifting off into fantasies or imaginative thoughts, often leading to temporary detachment from reality.

Example: "He spaces out during class, dreaming of his next vacation."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using with an object

❌ Wrong: I need to space out my thoughts.

✅ Correct: I need to space out.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'space out' doesn't require an object.

Using in formal writing

❌ Wrong: The report spaces out frequently.

✅ Correct: The report loses focus frequently.

💡 Tip: Avoid using informal phrases in formal writing.

Incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: I space outed during the meeting.

✅ Correct: I spaced out during the meeting.

💡 Tip: Ensure correct past participle: 'spaced out'.

Practice

SPACE OUT - 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

I often space out in the middle of a boring lecture.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

She tends to space out when she's tired and stressed.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

During the long flight, he spaced out and lost track of time.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

daydream drift off

Antonyms

concentrate

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"I sometimes ___ when overwhelmed with thoughts."

spaced in

space out

space off

space up

"To space out is to give the mind a canvas where creativity and tranquility paint the endless possibilities of thought and discovery."

In Context

In 1969, the Apollo 11 mission marked a defining moment in human history. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, occasionally found himself spacing out due to the overwhelming experience of space. As the astronaut descended the lunar module, he marveled at the vast expanse surrounding him. Having trained for months, Armstrong knew that even a momentary lapse could pose significant risks. Yet, the serenity and beauty of the moon were so compelling that he couldn't help but momentarily space out. His colleague Buzz Aldrin shared these sentiments, describing moments when their focus waned, caught up in the unprecedented beauty of the lunar landscape, leading them to space out while performing tasks. Back on Earth, Mission Control monitored these moments closely, understanding that a brief space out was natural under such circumstances. Armstrong's famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," were uttered during one such moment of clarity after he deliberately spaced out, contemplating the significance of that historic step. Each astronaut had been trained to deal with lapses in focus, understanding it was part of the human experience. The mission, a triumph of human will and ingenuity, taught us that even in the most critical times, allowing oneself to space out could bring profound insights.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Space Out

What is the origin of space out?

The term 'space out' became popular in the 20th century, drawing from the literal idea of one's attention expanding outward and dispersing like space.

Can space out be used in formal and informal contexts?

Primarily informal, 'space out' suits relaxed, conversational speech, expressing daydreams or focus loss, rarely in formal writing.

What is the difference between space out and daydream?

Spacing out refers to unfocused moments, while daydreaming involves intentional, imaginative thought, although both describe mental detachment.

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

SPACE OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Space Out

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega