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: Tear Apart

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'tear apart' means to destroy or severely damage something by tearing it into pieces, often used metaphorically.

Examples in context

The economic crisis threatens to tear apart families as jobs become scarce.
Political rivalries have torn apart longstanding friendships.
Her departure from the project could tear apart the entire team's morale.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'tear apart' means to destroy or severely damage something by tearing it into pieces, often used metaphorically.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can insert an object between 'tear' and 'apart'.

Neutral

Commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object to function grammatically.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	tear apart	The conflict threatens to tear apart the community.
Past Simple	tore apart	The disagreement tore apart their friendship.
Present Continuous	tearing apart	Their fighting is tearing apart the family.
Present Perfect	have torn apart	Political disputes have torn apart the nation.

💡 When to Use

Describing personal conflicts

Use 'tear apart' when discussing situations where disagreements or personal issues are causing division.

Example: "Their argument was tearing apart their relationship."

Explaining societal issues

Employ it to describe events causing societal division or destruction.

Example: "The policy changes are tearing apart the community."

Narrating destructive actions

Appropriate for describing actions causing physical or metaphorical destruction.

Example: "The hurricane tore apart the coastal town."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Wrong verb tense

❌ Wrong: Their differences tear aparted the team.

✅ Correct: Their differences tore apart the team.

💡 Tip: Ensure past tense agrees: 'tore apart'.

Misplacement of object

❌ Wrong: The committee decision tore the plan apart.

✅ Correct: The committee decision tore apart the plan.

💡 Tip: Remember 'tear apart' allows object placement between.

Intransitive use

❌ Wrong: They started to tear apart.

✅ Correct: They started to tear each other apart.

💡 Tip: Use object to complete the action.

Practice

TEAR APART - 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

The economic crisis threatens to tear apart families as jobs become scarce.
Economic Roots of the Tiny House Idea
2
Listen to example

Political rivalries have torn apart longstanding friendships.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
3
Listen to example

Her departure from the project could tear apart the entire team's morale.
Alternative Communities and Camping Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

rip apart shred

Antonyms

mend

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The scandal threatened to ___ apart the organization's reputation."

tear in

tear apart

tear with

tear off

"When arguments tear apart friendships, it takes wisdom and patience to stitch them back together with understanding and forgiveness."

In Context

In 753 BC, Rome's foundation was laid by Romulus, but not without strife. The Sabine women played a crucial role in unifying early Rome, yet the city faced challenges that threatened to tear it apart. When Romulus invited neighboring tribes to a festival, tension soared as the Romans abducted Sabine women, sparking outrage. This act nearly tore apart the fragile peace, leading to a bitter war. However, the abducted Sabine women, now wives and mothers, intervened during a pivotal battle between their Roman husbands and Sabine fathers, demanding peace rather than continued rift. Their brave actions prevented further conflict that threatened to tear apart both societies. As peace negotiations ensued, alliances were forged, uniting the tribes instead of letting animosities tear them apart. Romulus's reign saw the city grow more cohesive due to these unions. Ultimately, the strength of their unity laid the foundation for Rome's future. The Sabine women’s courage ensured their efforts to tear apart conflict gave way to reconciliation, solidifying the city’s fate.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Tear Apart

What is the origin of tear apart?

The phrasal verb 'tear apart' originates from the literal act of ripping something into pieces, used metaphorically for division or destruction.

Can tear apart be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'tear apart' can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile in discussing personal, social, or political divisions.

What is the difference between tear apart and rip apart?

Both mean to destroy or separate, but 'rip apart' often implies more sudden or violent action, whereas 'tear apart' may be gradual or subtle.

Browse All Tiny House 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

TEAR APART - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Tear Apart

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega