CAME ACROSS

Human Communication

"Wisdom often came across silently, not through loud declarations but through quiet moments of introspection and discovery."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'came across' means to find or discover something unexpectedly, often during the course of another activity.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'came across' means to find or discover something unexpectedly, often during the course of another activity.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
The parts of this phrasal verb cannot be split.
Register
Neutral
Appropriate for both formal and casual contexts.
Transitive
Yes
Requires a direct object, the thing discovered.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple come across I often come across interesting articles online.
Past Simple came across Yesterday, I came across an old photo album.
Present Continuous coming across She is coming across new ideas for her project.
Present Perfect have come across I have come across similar issues before.

💡 When to Use

Accidental discovery
Use when something unexpected is found during another activity. It's often used in casual conversations but can also be formal.
Example: "I came across an old letter while cleaning the attic."
Information discovery
Utilize it when referring to the uncovering of information that was not originally sought.
Example: "During research, the scientist came across a groundbreaking formula."
Unexpected encounters
Employ it when referring to meeting someone unexpectedly.
Example: "I came across Sarah at the grocery store yesterday."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense usage
❌ Wrong: I come across an old book yesterday.
✅ Correct: I came across an old book yesterday.
💡 Tip: Remember to use past tense for past events.
Missing preposition
❌ Wrong: I came an interesting article.
✅ Correct: I came across an interesting article.
💡 Tip: Always include 'across' to complete the verb.
Separating the verb
❌ Wrong: I across came an old friend today.
✅ Correct: I came across an old friend today.
💡 Tip: Keep 'came' and 'across' together.
Practice

CAME ACROSS - 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

    As I walked down the street, I came across a delightful little café.

    Words Multiplied
  • 2
    Listen to example

    During the library visit, she came across a rare edition of her favorite novel.

    Words Multiplied
  • 3
    Listen to example

    They came across some fascinating artifacts while exploring the ancient ruins.

    Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

encountered discovered

Antonyms

missed

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"While hiking, we ___ across a hidden waterfall."

bumped
came across
skipped
moved

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Came Across

What is the origin of 'came across'?

+
The phrase 'came across' originates from Middle English, where 'come' meant to arrive or reach a point, and 'across' indicated direction, suggesting an unexpected encounter.

Can 'came across' be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'came across' is versatile and can be applied in both formal writings, such as reports and essays, and informal communications, like conversations or letters.

What is the difference between 'came across' and 'discovered'?

+
'Came across' suggests a chance or unexpected find, whereas 'discovered' can imply intentional search, though both indicate finding something of interest.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

run intostumble uponcome uponhappen onencounter
Browse All Words Multiplied Phrasal Verbs
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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