Phrasal verbs are a key part of English, and the verb “come” is used in many of them. Depending on the preposition or adverb that follows it, “come” can change meaning completely. It can refer to movement, change, discovery, or even unexpected events.

Mastering phrasal verbs with “come” will help you sound more natural in English and improve both your spoken and written communication. In this lesson, we’ll go over commonly used phrasal verbs with “come”, their meanings, and how to use them correctly.

Common Phrasal Verbs with “Come”

1. Come Across (Something/Someone)

Meaning: To find something or meet someone by chance.
Example Sentences:

I came across an old photo of us while cleaning my room.
She came across as very friendly during the interview.
While traveling, I came across a wonderful little bookstore.

Usage Tip:

When referring to objects, it means finding something unexpectedly.
When referring to people, it can also mean making an impression (e.g., He comes across as very confident).

2. Come Up With (Something)

Meaning: To think of an idea, plan, or solution.
Example Sentences:

We need to come up with a better marketing strategy.
She came up with an interesting idea for the project.
Can you come up with a name for our new business?

Usage Tip:
This phrase is often used in creative and problem-solving situations.

3. Come Up

Meaning: To appear, happen, or be mentioned.
Example Sentences:

Something urgent came up, so I had to leave early.
His name came up during the meeting.
A great job opportunity just came up—are you interested?

Usage Tip:
This phrase is commonly used in both personal and professional situations when something unexpected happens or is discussed.

4. Come In

Meaning: To enter a place or to arrive.
Example Sentences:

Please come in and make yourself comfortable.
The train comes in at 7:30 PM.
New fashion trends come in every season.

Usage Tip:

“Come in” is often used as an invitation (e.g., Come in! The door is open!).
It can also be used in business or fashion discussions when referring to something becoming available or trendy.

5. Come Out

Meaning: To be released, become known, or become available.
Example Sentences:

The new book will come out next month.
The truth finally came out after years of secrecy.
The sun came out after a long rainy morning.

Usage Tip:
“Come out” is widely used for books, movies, truth, and news.

6. Come Over

Meaning: To visit someone’s house.
Example Sentences:

Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight?
She came over to help me with my homework.
My friends often come over on weekends.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is used when inviting someone to visit or describing casual visits.

7. Come Through

Meaning: To successfully complete or accomplish something.
Example Sentences:

He came through for us when we needed help.
The funding for the project finally came through.
She always comes through in difficult situations.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is often used when someone fulfills a promise or succeeds in a challenging situation.

8. Come Along

Meaning: To accompany someone or progress.
Example Sentences:

We’re going to the mall. Want to come along?
Your English skills are really coming along!
An opportunity like this doesn’t come along often.

Usage Tip:

“Come along” is used for invitations or describing progress.
It can also refer to unexpected opportunities.

9. Come Down With (Something)

Meaning: To get sick with an illness.
Example Sentences:

I think I’m coming down with a cold.
She came down with the flu last week.
Many people come down with allergies in spring.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is commonly used when talking about illnesses or symptoms.

10. Come To (Something)

Meaning: To regain consciousness or reach a total amount.
Example Sentences:

He fainted but came to after a few minutes.
The total bill comes to $45.50.
It took him a while to come to after the accident.

Usage Tip:

“Come to” is often used in medical or emergency situations.
It can also refer to the total cost of something.

11. Come Forward

Meaning: To offer help or provide information.
Example Sentences:

The witness came forward with new evidence.
The police asked anyone with information to come forward.
Several people came forward to help after the disaster.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is commonly used in news reports and investigations.

12. Come Back

Meaning: To return to a place or situation.
Example Sentences:

He came back home after three years abroad.
Trends from the 90s are coming back in style!
She left, but she said she’ll come back later.

Usage Tip:
This is a basic but essential phrasal verb for returning to places, situations, or trends.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the Phrasal Verb to the Meaning

Match each phrasal verb with the correct meaning.

Come across
Come up with
Come out
Come along
Come down with

a) To think of an idea
b) To find something unexpectedly
c) To be released or revealed
d) To progress or join someone
e) To get sick

(Answer Key: 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d, 5-e)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb.

I ________ a great idea for our next project!
He suddenly ________ the flu and had to stay home.
The new movie will ________ next Friday.
She ________ an old letter while organizing her closet.
We’re going to the park. Would you like to ________?

(Answer Key: 1. Came up with, 2. Came down with, 3. Come out, 4. Came across, 5. Come along)

Conclusion

Phrasal verbs with “come” are widely used in English conversations. Learning and practicing them will help you sound more fluent and natural. Try using some of these phrases in your daily conversations!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are phrasal verbs and why are they important in English?

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and one or more particles, usually prepositions or adverbs, that create a new meaning different from the original verb. They’re an essential part of English because they make your communication sound more natural and fluent. Understanding and using phrasal verbs with “come” correctly can vastly improve your day-to-day communication because they often capture nuances in meaning that simple verbs alone do not. Mastery of these can make your speech and writing more dynamic and engaging, providing clarity and expressiveness in conveying ideas.

2. Can you give examples of common phrasal verbs with “come” and their meanings?

Certainly! Here are a few:

Come across: This means to encounter or find something by chance. For example, “I came across an old photo album while cleaning the attic.” It’s about unexpected discovery.
Come up with: This indicates the creation or origination of an idea or plan. For instance, “She came up with a brilliant solution to the problem”, reveals ingenuity or creativity.
Come down with: This is used when someone starts to suffer from an illness. For example, “I think I’m coming down with a cold.” It’s indicative of the onset of sickness.
Come out: This can refer to publication or becoming known. For example, “Her new book just came out last week”, highlighting the release or emergence of something.
Come along: This means to progress or develop. For example, “His studies are really coming along”, demonstrating growth or improvement.

3. How can I practice using phrasal verbs with “come” effectively?

Practice is key when it comes to phrasal verbs. Here are some strategies to help you incorporate them into your daily use:

Contextual Learning: Use sentences and scenarios to practice. This will help you understand how they fit into different contexts.
Flashcards: Create flashcards with the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning and an example sentence on the other.
Reading and Listening: Engage with English media like books, podcasts, and shows to see phrasal verbs used in natural contexts.
Conversation Practice: Use these verbs in conversations with friends or language exchange partners to get feedback and gain confidence.
Writing Exercises: Write short paragraphs or dialogues using these phrasal verbs to reinforce your understanding.

4. Why does the meaning of “come” change with different particles?

The meaning of “come” changes with different particles because these particles modify the context, creating a new meaning that’s often more descriptive or advanced than the verb alone. This transformation occurs because each particle represents specific directional, spatial, or abstract concepts that, when attached to a verb like “come”, redefine its role in a sentence. By studying these combinations, language learners can develop a deeper understanding of subtle differences and gain versatility in their language use. It’s essentially about leveraging small words to add depth and detail to communication.

5. Are there any quizzes or resources I can use to test my knowledge of phrasal verbs with “come”?

Yes, quizzes can be a great tool to test your understanding and reinforce learning. Many online quizzes focus on phrasal verbs, offering multiple-choice questions, matching exercises, and fill-in-the-blank activities to help reinforce your knowledge. Besides, resources like English language apps, educational websites such as BBC Learning English, and relevant sections in grammar books provide interactive ways to engage with phrasal verbs. Exploring these regularly will help embed the phrasal verbs into your everyday vocabulary, improving both comprehension and confidence in using them.