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

Take Advantage Of: Definition, Usage & Examples

"Wise is the person who learns to take advantage of life's every opportunity, transforming challenges into stepping stones for success."

📖 Definition

To take advantage of means to utilize a situation, opportunity, or resource in order to benefit oneself, often strategically or profitably.

Examples in context

She took advantage of her flexible schedule to start a side business.
The lawyer advised us to take advantage of the legal loophole.
Families can take advantage of discounted admissions on certain days.

📖 Definition

To take advantage of means to utilize a situation, opportunity, or resource in order to benefit oneself, often strategically or profitably.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrase cannot be split; it functions as a fixed unit.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal contexts without shifting tone.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete the meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	take advantage of	She tries to take advantage of every opportunity.
Past Simple	took advantage of	They took advantage of the favorable market conditions.
Present Continuous	taking advantage of	He is taking advantage of the extra time to study.
Present Perfect	have taken advantage of	We have taken advantage of all available resources.

💡 When to Use

In business contexts

Used when a company or individual uses a situation to gain a benefit or profit.

Example: "The firm took advantage of the rising demand for digital services."

In personal development

Refers to someone making use of opportunities for self-improvement or growth.

Example: "She took advantage of free online courses to expand her skills."

In competitive contexts

Describes using a competitor’s weakness or market conditions to one's own benefit.

Example: "The athlete took advantage of the opposition's fatigue to secure victory."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense

❌ Wrong: He take advantage of every chance.

✅ Correct: He takes advantage of every chance.

💡 Tip: Ensure subject-verb agreement in present tense.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: She took advantage very well.

✅ Correct: She took advantage of the new policy very well.

💡 Tip: Always follow with the object being taken advantage of.

Misused context

❌ Wrong: Let's take advantage of the weather for study time.

✅ Correct: Let's take advantage of the weather for a picnic.

💡 Tip: Ensure the context allows for the benefit or resource.

Practice

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF - 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

She took advantage of her flexible schedule to start a side business.
The Shrinking World
2
Listen to example

The lawyer advised us to take advantage of the legal loophole.
The Shrinking World
3
Listen to example

Families can take advantage of discounted admissions on certain days.
The Shrinking World

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

capitalize on exploit

Antonyms

miss out on

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Savvy investors know how to ___ market fluctuations."

take apart of

take advantage of

take advent of

take availed of

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Take Advantage Of

What is the origin of take advantage of?

Dating back to the 14th century, 'advantage' comes from the Latin 'ad' (to) and 'vantagium' (an advance), implying a beneficial position or favorable circumstance.

Can take advantage of be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, it can be used in both settings. In formal contexts, it might describe strategic business moves, while in informal contexts, it might refer to personal opportunities.

What is the difference between take advantage of and capitalize on?

While both mean utilizing opportunities, 'capitalize on' often implies investment or monetary gain, whereas 'take advantage of' can be broader, covering non-monetary benefits too.

Browse All The Shrinking World 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

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Take Advantage Of

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega