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

Turn Away From: Meaning, Usage & Examples

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'turn away from' means to avoid confronting or engaging with something or to refuse to consider an alternative or change. It often involves making a conscious decision to not face a particular challenge, situation, or opportunity.

Examples in context

The children turned away from the frightening movie scene.
Many people turned away from reality and escaped into their fictional books.
He couldn’t turn away from the mesmerizing sunset over the ocean.

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

'Turn away from' is not separable, meaning the object or action cannot split the phrasal verb.

Neutral

The expression can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile.

Transitive

Yes

'Turn away from' requires an object, specifying what is being avoided or not confronted.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	turn away from	She often turns away from difficult decisions.
Past Simple	turned away from	He turned away from the opportunity due to fear.
Present Continuous	turning away from	They are turning away from their old ways.
Present Perfect	have turned away from	I have turned away from negativity in my life.

💡 When to Use

Facing difficult choices

When one is avoiding a challenging situation or decision, this phrase is perfect for describing the action of retreating.

Example: "He turned away from the tough decision about his career."

Refusing new ideas

Use it when someone refuses to acknowledge or consider new information or perspectives, choosing instead to stick to old beliefs.

Example: "They turned away from the new policy changes."

Avoiding confrontation

Use when describing someone's avoidance of a confrontation or potential conflict, indicating a preference for peace or denial.

Example: "She turned away from the argument, seeking peace."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using a wrong preposition

❌ Wrong: She turned away of the challenge.

✅ Correct: She turned away from the challenge.

💡 Tip: Remember 'from' follows 'turn away'.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: He turned away.

✅ Correct: He turned away from the issue.

💡 Tip: Always specify what is being turned away from.

Using as separable

❌ Wrong: She turned the issue away from.

✅ Correct: She turned away from the issue.

💡 Tip: The phrase cannot split; it remains together.

Practice

TURN AWAY 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

The children turned away from the frightening movie scene.
Economic Roots of the Tiny House Idea
2
Listen to example

Many people turned away from reality and escaped into their fictional books.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
3
Listen to example

He couldn’t turn away from the mesmerizing sunset over the ocean.
Alternative Communities and Camping Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

avoid shun

Antonyms

embrace

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Many chose to ___ from the controversial issue."

connect

turn away from

engage

embrace

"One must not turn away from the whispers of wisdom, for within them lies the guidance to navigate life's deepest uncertainties."

In Context

In 1914, as the world teetered on the brink of the First World War, the fate of nations hung in a delicate balance. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria faced a crossroads. His presence in the hostile city of Sarajevo was fraught with danger, yet he did not turn away from his duties. On June 28, Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were met with tumult as they journeyed through the city. Despite a previous assassination attempt that day, they did not turn away from their plans. However, the tragic consequences soon unfolded. As their car took a wrong turn, Ferdinand did not turn away from his route, unaware that his stubborn adherence to the schedule would seal his fate. Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand secret society, seized the opportunity. The shots that rang out ended in Ferdinand's assassination, igniting a sequence of events that propelled Europe into chaos. The world had hoped to turn away from conflict, but the chain of alliances and entangled interests ensued. This historical moment marked a turning point, demonstrating how sometimes the refusal to turn away from duty can lead to unforeseen outcomes, echoing lessons through the corridors of time.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Turn Away From

What is the origin of turn away from?

The phrase 'turn away from' has its roots in Middle English, where 'turn' meant to rotate or change direction, combined with 'away from' to indicate moving in an opposite direction or avoiding a target.

Can turn away from be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'turn away from' is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is often employed to describe actions or behaviors in professional reports and everyday conversations alike.

What is the difference between turn away from and avoid?

While both mean to not engage with something, 'turn away from' implies a physical or metaphorical shift in focus, whereas 'avoid' generally indicates preventing an encounter or keeping away from something entirely.

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

TURN AWAY FROM - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Turn Away From

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega