COME ALONG

Human Communication

"When true opportunities in life come along, embrace them with both hands, for they seldom appear twice in one's journey."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'come along' means to accompany someone, progress, or appear unexpectedly. It can imply improvement or progress in various contexts.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'come along' means to accompany someone, progress, or appear unexpectedly. It can imply improvement or progress in various contexts.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
You cannot insert words between 'come' and 'along'.
Register
Neutral
Used commonly in both formal and informal settings.
Transitive
No
Does not require a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple come along The project will come along nicely with your help.
Past Simple came along She came along to the conference with her team.
Present Continuous coming along The new policy is coming along as expected.
Present Perfect have come along We have come along way since our last meeting.

💡 When to Use

Inviting someone to join
Use when you want someone to accompany you to a place or event. It suggests a friendly, informal invitation.
Example: "Would you like to come along to the party?"
Describing progress
Use when talking about the development or improvement of something over time. It highlights growth or advancement.
Example: "The project is coming along faster than expected."
Something appearing unexpectedly
Use when referring to an event or opportunity that arises without prior notice or anticipation.
Example: "A great job offer came along when I least expected it."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Misplacing words
❌ Wrong: Will you come the meeting along?
✅ Correct: Will you come along to the meeting?
💡 Tip: Keep 'come' and 'along' together.
Using as transitive
❌ Wrong: She came it along well.
✅ Correct: It came along well.
💡 Tip: Do not use with direct objects.
Incorrect form
❌ Wrong: He come along the race.
✅ Correct: He came along to the race.
💡 Tip: Use the correct past tense form.
Practice

COME ALONG - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    The team is coming along much faster than we anticipated.

    Words In The Wind
  • 2
    Listen to example

    When the chance to travel came along, she immediately took it.

    Words In The Wind
  • 3
    Listen to example

    Why don't you come along and see the new exhibit with us?

    Words In The Wind

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

advance progress

Antonyms

fall behind

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"When the opportunity ____, she knew she had to seize it."

came across
come along
came under
came off

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Come Along

What is the origin of come along?

+
The phrasal verb 'come along' originates from Old English, combining 'come,' meaning to move or travel, with 'along,' signifying movement in a line or direction. It evolved to include meanings related to accompanying someone, progressing, or arriving unexpectedly, widely used in various English dialects.

Can come along be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'come along' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it often describes progress or improvement. Informally, it may refer to inviting someone or describing an unexpected occurrence, catering to a broad range of conversational needs.

What is the difference between come along and progress?

+
'Come along' implies someone or something accompanying or progressing over time, often unexpectedly. 'Progress' focuses more narrowly on systematic improvement or development. While both denote advancement, 'come along' is used more variably contextually compared to 'progress.'

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

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Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
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



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