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 'Stay On'

📖 Definition

To remain in a place, position, or job longer than originally planned or expected, often to address unfinished business or for additional purposes.

Examples in context

He chose to stay on the committee, guiding new members in their roles.
Despite her retirement, Linda decided to stay on as a mentor.
The artist stayed on in Paris to attend a few more exhibitions.

📖 Definition

To remain in a place, position, or job longer than originally planned or expected, often to address unfinished business or for additional purposes.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrasal verb 'stay on' cannot have a word inserted between 'stay' and 'on'.

Neutral

'Stay on' is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts without being overly formal or informal.

Transitive

'Stay on' does not require a direct object and is intransitive.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	stay on	She plans to stay on after her internship ends.
Past Simple	stayed on	He stayed on at the company for another year.
Present Continuous	staying on	They are staying on to ensure the project's success.
Present Perfect	have stayed on	We have stayed on longer than expected due to unforeseen issues.

💡 When to Use

Extending a visit

Use 'stay on' when a person chooses to remain in a location longer than planned for personal or professional reasons.

Example: "After visiting friends, he decided to stay on for another week."

Continuing in a position

Employ 'stay on' when someone remains in a job or role past the anticipated time, often for unfinished tasks.

Example: "Although retiring, she agreed to stay on until her replacement was found."

Completing unfinished work

Apply 'stay on' when someone remains to finish work or address outstanding issues, conveying responsibility or necessity.

Example: "The professor chose to stay on at the university to complete his research."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Misplacement in a sentence

❌ Wrong: She decided to on stay for another month.

✅ Correct: She decided to stay on for another month.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'stay on' must not be separated by other words.

Using with objects

❌ Wrong: He stayed on the project late.

✅ Correct: He stayed on late for the project.

💡 Tip: 'Stay on' is intransitive; it doesn't take a direct object.

Using wrong tense

❌ Wrong: They are stayed on for dinner.

✅ Correct: They stayed on for dinner.

💡 Tip: Ensure correct past tense: 'stayed on'.

Practice

STAY ON - 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

He chose to stay on the committee, guiding new members in their roles.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Despite her retirement, Linda decided to stay on as a mentor.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The artist stayed on in Paris to attend a few more exhibitions.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

remain continue

Antonyms

leave

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"After the meeting ended, he decided to ___ and help plan the next one."

leave on

stay on

move on

give on

"To truly grow, one must stay on the path of learning, embracing each twist and turn as wisdom's finest gift."

In Context

Mahatma Gandhi's journey in South Africa was transformative, both for him and the Indian diaspora there. When he arrived in 1893, it was intended to be a brief visit; however, Gandhi felt compelled to stay on, driven by the injustices faced by Indian residents under colonial rule. As he organized the Indian community to actively challenge these injustices, Gandhi's own philosophy of nonviolent resistance began to form. His decision to stay on after his initial contract ended was pivotal. Over the years, he founded the Natal Indian Congress, which aimed to unite all Indians in the struggle for civil rights. His presence and leadership were instrumental in various campaigns, including those against discriminatory taxes and unjust voting laws. The success of these efforts depended heavily on Gandhi's commitment to stay on. After spending over two decades in South Africa, he returned to India in 1915. His experiences and the strategies he refined while staying on proved invaluable as he led India's own fight for independence. Gandhi's perseverance not only marked a critical period in South Africa's history but also shaped him into the leader who would eventually liberate India.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Stay On

What is the origin of stay on?

The phrase 'stay on' combines the words 'stay' meaning to remain, and 'on' implying continuity. It originated from the desire or necessity to extend presence beyond the initially planned duration in a place or position.

Can stay on be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'stay on' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it often describes extending employment or academic tenure, while in informal ones, it refers to extending visits or personal commitments.

What is the difference between stay on and remain?

'Stay on' implies an intentional action to extend one's time or presence, often beyond the expected period, while 'remain' generally indicates continuing to maintain a position or state regardless of any original plan or timeline.

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

STAY ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Stay On

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega