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 'Track Down': Meaning and Usage

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'track down' means to search for someone or something, usually with the intention of capturing, locating, or verifying them.

Examples in context

The police managed to track down the fugitive after weeks of searching.
She tracked down her childhood friend using social media.
The historian tracked down rare documents to finish the research.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'track down' means to search for someone or something, usually with the intention of capturing, locating, or verifying them.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

'Track down' can be broken: 'track the suspect down'.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

'Track down' requires an object (e.g., 'track down the book').

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	track down	They track down missing people for a living.
Past Simple	tracked down	The detective tracked down the elusive thief.
Present Continuous	tracking down	He is tracking down the source of the leak.
Present Perfect	have tracked down	We have tracked down the manufacturer of the component.

💡 When to Use

Searching for something lost

Use 'track down' when you are searching for a lost item or person by following a series of clues.

Example: "I need to track down my misplaced keys before leaving."

Investigative reporting

Journalists use 'track down' to describe the process of uncovering information for a report by connecting different pieces of evidence.

Example: "The reporter tracked down the source of the cover-up."

Problem-solving context

Use 'track down' in situations where solving a problem involves tracing its origins or previous steps.

Example: "The engineer tracked down the cause of the malfunction."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using as intransitive

❌ Wrong: He tracked down quickly.

✅ Correct: He tracked down the suspect quickly.

💡 Tip: Remember 'track down' needs an object.

Wrong word order

❌ Wrong: Track down book the.

✅ Correct: Track the book down.

💡 Tip: Ensure correct placement of 'down' after the object.

Using in passive

❌ Wrong: The thief was tracked down by him.

✅ Correct: He tracked down the thief.

💡 Tip: Prefer active voice for clarity.

Practice

TRACK DOWN - 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 police managed to track down the fugitive after weeks of searching.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

She tracked down her childhood friend using social media.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The historian tracked down rare documents to finish the research.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

locate hunt down

Antonyms

lose

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"He was determined to ___ the missing files."

find

track down

lose

forget

"To track down the truth is to embark on a journey of perseverance, where each clue unravels the mysteries of the universe."

In Context

In the late 19th century, Sherlock Holmes, the iconic detective of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, relentlessly tracked down the notorious criminal Professor Moriarty. Holmes first became aware of a series of crimes that seemed intricately linked. Using his unparalleled deduction skills, he started to track down the connections between the victims and potential perpetrators. As Holmes gathered insight, he realized Moriarty was the spider at the center of this web. His determination to track down every lead led him across the bustling city of London, piecing together seemingly disparate clues. Holmes’s unwavering pursuit put him in dangerous situations, but his resolve never wavered. With each step closer, Moriarty's criminal empire began to crumble. In a dramatic climax, Holmes tracked down Moriarty to the Reichenbach Falls. In a fateful encounter, the battle ensued, resulting in both falling over the cliff, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice in the quest for justice. The legacy of this tale endures, demonstrating the triumphs and perils faced by those who track down the truth, showcasing Holmes’s persistence and his iconic role in the annals of detective fiction.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Track Down

What is the origin of track down?

The origin of 'track down' is rooted in hunting jargon where hunters follow the tracks of animals to locate them. Over time, it expanded to refer to any pursuit of locating people or objects.

Can track down be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Track down' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It applies to professional settings, such as law enforcement and investigations, as well as casual searches, like finding lost items.

What is the difference between track down and locate?

While both 'track down' and 'locate' mean finding something, 'track down' implies a search involving effort and persistence, uncovering clues. In contrast, 'locate' simply means finding without the implication of a challenging search.

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

TRACK DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Track Down

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega