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

Meaning and Use of 'Stand By' - Examples and More

📖 Definition

To stand by means to stay loyal to someone or something, providing support or maintaining one's position, especially in difficult times.

Examples in context

In the trial, she stood by her testimony, confident in her truth.
They vowed to stand by each other through all hardships.
Even in failure, he stood by his innovative ideas.

📖 Definition

To stand by means to stay loyal to someone or something, providing support or maintaining one's position, especially in difficult times.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrasal verb cannot be separated by objects.

Neutral

The phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires an object, such as a person or belief, to stand by.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	stand by	They stand by their friends during tough times.
Past Simple	stood by	She stood by her decision despite the criticism.
Present Continuous	standing by	He is standing by his promise to help her.
Present Perfect	have stood by	We have always stood by our allies in need.

💡 When to Use

Loyalty or support

Use when expressing reliability or support for someone or something, especially in challenging situations.

Example: "John stood by his brother when he faced difficulties."

Maintaining stance

Employ to convey the act of holding firm on a decision or belief, despite opposition.

Example: "The committee stood by their original decision."

Assistance in crises

Use to indicate being ready to assist or defend someone in critical moments.

Example: "She stood by her friend during the trial."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using it as separable

❌ Wrong: Stand your friends by in need.

✅ Correct: Stand by your friends in need.

💡 Tip: Remember 'stand by' keeps its object together.

Confusing with 'stand up'

❌ Wrong: He stood up his friends.

✅ Correct: He stood by his friends.

💡 Tip: Stand by means to support, not rise or disappoint.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: They are stood by him.

✅ Correct: They stood by him.

💡 Tip: Use 'stood' for simple past contexts.

Practice

STAND BY - 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

In the trial, she stood by her testimony, confident in her truth.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

They vowed to stand by each other through all hardships.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

Even in failure, he stood by his innovative ideas.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

support defend

Antonyms

abandon

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Despite challenges, he chose to ___ his original decision."

stand up

stand by

stand over

stand into

"In times of uncertainty, stand by your principles, for consistency in values is the compass that guides through life's unpredictable waters."

In Context

During World War II, Winston Churchill famously demonstrated what it meant to stand by one’s convictions. Amidst the turmoil and threat of Nazi Germany, Churchill stood by his policy of unwavering resistance. In 1940, despite pressure to negotiate peace terms, he firmly rejected any move that compromised Britain’s sovereignty. As German bombers pummeled London during the Blitz, Churchill refused to waver, standing by the belief that Britain would prevail. His speeches, filled with resolute determination, inspired millions to endure. Standing by his convictions wasn’t without cost; faced with criticism and potential political fallout, Churchill’s stance seemed, at times, perilous. Yet, as the war rumbled on and victory became plausible, his steadfast commitment proved pivotal. By 1945, as Allied forces began turning the tide of war, Churchill’s insistence on standing by his principles paid dividends. Millions celebrated the end of the conflict, recognizing that his leadership had been instrumental. Churchill’s legacy illustrates the profound impact of standing by one’s beliefs, even amidst overwhelming adversity, underscoring the pivotal role such resoluteness plays in history.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Stand By

What is the origin of stand by?

The phrasal verb 'stand by' originates from Old and Middle English, meaning to physically stand near or beside something, which evolved into providing support or loyalty.

Can stand by be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Stand by' is versatile and can be appropriately used in both formal and informal settings, making it suitable for professional, academic, or casual conversations.

What is the difference between stand by and support?

While 'stand by' emphasizes loyalty or readiness to support, 'support' generally refers to actively providing help or backing, making 'stand by' more passive.

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

STAND BY - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Stand By

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega