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 'Stray From': Definition & Usage

📖 Definition

To stray from means to move away from a set path, plan, or influence, either intentionally or unintentionally, often leading to new directions or unintended consequences.

Examples in context

During the meeting, he strayed from the agenda to address pressing concerns.
The hikers were warned not to stray from the marked trails.
To succeed, one must not stray from their core values and objectives.

📖 Definition

To stray from means to move away from a set path, plan, or influence, either intentionally or unintentionally, often leading to new directions or unintended consequences.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb and preposition cannot be divided by objects.

Neutral

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

It does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	stray from	Children often stray from instructions when not supervised.
Past Simple	strayed from	He strayed from his usual routine last week.
Present Continuous	straying from	She is straying from her diet during the holidays.
Present Perfect	have strayed from	They have strayed from the agreement several times.

💡 When to Use

Losing track of plans

Use when describing a deviation from an original plan or expectation, often implying unforeseen consequences.

Example: "She strayed from her exercise plan and started gaining weight."

Exploratory scenarios

To describe someone venturing off a known path, often in exploration or pursuit of new ideas.

Example: "The scientist strayed from traditional methods to explore novel techniques."

Metaphorical wandering

Used in a metaphorical sense, implying drifting thoughts or abandonment of core principles.

Example: "He strayed from his moral compass in pursuit of wealth."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: He will straying from the topic.

✅ Correct: He will stray from the topic.

💡 Tip: Ensure verb tense matches auxiliary.

Misplacement of preposition

❌ Wrong: She strays the path from often.

✅ Correct: She strays from the path often.

💡 Tip: Keep 'stray' and 'from' closely linked.

Using as a transitive verb

❌ Wrong: They strayed their destination.

✅ Correct: They strayed from their destination.

💡 Tip: Remember 'stray from' doesn't take a direct object.

Practice

STRAY FROM - 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 meeting, he strayed from the agenda to address pressing concerns.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

The hikers were warned not to stray from the marked trails.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

To succeed, one must not stray from their core values and objectives.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

deviate digress

Antonyms

adhere

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"It is easy to ___ from your diet during holidays."

stroll from

stray from

trail from

detour from

"One must not stray from the path of truth, for wandering minds find solace only in uncertainties and fleeting illusions."

In Context

In 1845, John C. Frémont, an explorer and politician, led a successful expedition across the Rocky Mountains. Initially adhering to a planned route, the journey faced tribulations when his party began to stray from the main trail, enticed by the possibility of finding more resource-rich territories. By straying from established routes, they encountered unforeseen challenges, such as difficult terrains and harsh weather, which tested their resolve and ingenuity. As they continued to stray from familiar paths, the crew's unity wavered under the strain of dwindling supplies and rising tensions. Despite these challenges, Frémont's steadfast leadership inspired his men to persevere. In the end, his aim to stray from the conventional proved fruitful as they discovered new routes and mapped unknown regions, laying the groundwork for future explorations. His persistent ambition and willingness to stray from the norm, though perilous, ultimately redefined the scope of exploration within the American frontier.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Stray From

What is the origin of stray from?

The term 'stray from' originates from the Middle English word 'streyen', meaning to wander or go beyond the boundaries, often marked by a departure from a set course or standard.

Can stray from be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'stray from' is versatile in use, being applicable in both formal and informal contexts to denote deviation from a set path or topic.

What is the difference between stray from and deviate?

While both indicate movement away from a path or norm, 'stray from' often suggests an inadvertent shift, whereas 'deviate' implies a deliberate or conscious change.

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

STRAY FROM - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Stray From

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega