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

Master 'Watch Over' Definition and Usage

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'watch over' means to guard, protect, or monitor someone or something, ensuring their safety or well-being.

Examples in context

The lifeguard watched over the swimmers, ensuring their safety in the water.
In the ancient village, the elders watched over the community during turbulent times.
As a guardian, he watched over the sacred relics with reverence and care.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'watch over' means to guard, protect, or monitor someone or something, ensuring their safety or well-being.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can separate 'watch' and 'over' by adding a noun, e.g., 'watch the baby over.'

Neutral

Suitable for both casual and formal use.

Transitive

Yes

It requires an object, e.g., 'watch over the children.'

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	watch over	I watch over my little brother every evening.
Past Simple	watched over	She watched over the sick child with care.
Present Continuous	watching over	He is watching over the house while we're away.
Present Perfect	have watched over	They have watched over the project since its inception.

💡 When to Use

Guarding someone's well-being

Use it when referring to ensuring someone's safety and caring for their health and security.

Example: "Parents often watch over their children's internet use."

Supervising a process

Employ it when overseeing a task or ensuring a process runs smoothly.

Example: "She was assigned to watch over the assembly line operations."

Providing guidance

Use it when offering support or oversight to ensure proper guidance and development.

Example: "Mentors watch over their students' academic progress."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Wrong preposition usage

❌ Wrong: She watched to over the children.

✅ Correct: She watched over the children.

💡 Tip: Remember 'over' follows 'watch' directly in this phrasal verb.

Incorrect separation

❌ Wrong: Watch the kids over carefully.

✅ Correct: Watch over the kids carefully.

💡 Tip: Always keep 'watch' and 'over' together when using an adverb.

Inappropriate object omission

❌ Wrong: Please watch over.

✅ Correct: Please watch over the house.

💡 Tip: Always include an object to show what you're watching over.

Practice

WATCH OVER - 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 lifeguard watched over the swimmers, ensuring their safety in the water.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

In the ancient village, the elders watched over the community during turbulent times.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

As a guardian, he watched over the sacred relics with reverence and care.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

oversee supervise

Antonyms

neglect

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The teachers ___ over the students during the field trip."

watch about

watch over

watches in

watch below

"To watch over others is a gift; it speaks of a heart that sees beyond itself to protect and nurture life's journey."

In Context

In the late 19th century, Florence Nightingale emerged as a pioneering figure in nursing during the Crimean War. Known as 'The Lady with the Lamp,' she would watch over wounded soldiers in makeshift hospitals. Nightingale's dedication to watching over her patients was pivotal in revolutionizing military medical care. Her nightly rounds, where she tirelessly monitored each soldier, not only improved their spirits but significantly reduced mortality rates. She innovated ways to improve sanitary conditions, a transformative step in medical history. Nightingale's relentless push for reforms ensured the soldiers were well cared for, and her practices became standards in modern nursing. Beyond the war, she continued to watch over healthcare systems, advocating for better hospital design and higher training standards for nurses. Nightingale's watchful presence expanded globally, influencing nursing education and healthcare reforms worldwide. Her enduring legacy is a testament to the profound impact of someone dedicated to watching over the wellbeing of others.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Watch Over

What is the origin of watch over?

The phrase 'watch over' originates from Old English, where 'watch' meant to remain awake and vigilant, combined with 'over,' indicating a position of guarding or overseeing something.

Can watch over be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'watch over' is versatile and suitable in both formal contexts, such as professional supervision, and informal scenarios, like parental care.

What is the difference between watch over and oversee?

'Watch over' emphasizes protection and care, often used personally, whereas 'oversee' implies supervision, especially in managerial or organizational contexts.

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

WATCH OVER - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Watch Over

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega