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

Understanding the Phrasal Verb: Come About

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'come about' refers to the occurrence or emergence of an event or situation, often unexpectedly or as a result of circumstances.

Examples in context

World changes often come about through gradual shifts in policy and public opinion.
How did the idea for the new project come about at the meeting?
The unexpected partnership came about during the conference, surprising many attendees.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'come about' refers to the occurrence or emergence of an event or situation, often unexpectedly or as a result of circumstances.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrase cannot be split with other words inserted between.

Neutral

Used in both casual and professional contexts.

Transitive

Does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	come about	How did this situation come about so quickly?
Past Simple	came about	The agreement came about after lengthy negotiations.
Present Continuous	coming about	A resolution is coming about through discussions.
Present Perfect	have come about	Changes have come about due to new policies.

💡 When to Use

Discussing unexpected events

Use when describing events that happen unexpectedly or without warning.

Example: "The opportunity came about suddenly, offering him a new career path."

Describing gradual changes

Use when referring to change that arises over time due to circumstances.

Example: "This transformation came about through continuous effort and dedication."

In storytelling

Use in narratives to indicate how pivotal events unfolded.

Example: "The plot twist came about when the protagonist discovered her true identity."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect placement

❌ Wrong: How did it about come?

✅ Correct: How did it come about?

💡 Tip: Remember, 'come about' cannot be split.

Wrong tense use

❌ Wrong: It will about come.

✅ Correct: It will come about.

💡 Tip: Maintain the correct word order in future tense.

Mixing phrasal verbs

❌ Wrong: When will it come around?

✅ Correct: When will it come about?

💡 Tip: Don't confuse 'come about' with 'come around'.

Practice

COME ABOUT - 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

World changes often come about through gradual shifts in policy and public opinion.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

How did the idea for the new project come about at the meeting?
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The unexpected partnership came about during the conference, surprising many attendees.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

occur arise

Antonyms

prevent

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The policy changes ___ after months of deliberation."

came around

come about

come forward

come across

"Peace often comes about when comprehension triumphs over conflict, and understanding turns adversaries into allies in a shared quest for harmony."

In Context

In 1905, a series of escalating tensions between European powers led to the First Moroccan Crisis, challenging the relationship between France and Germany. As Kaiser Wilhelm II made a bold trip to Tangier, diplomatic alarms echoed across the continent. The unexpected visit seemed to come about as a direct challenge to French interests in North Africa. European nations watched with bated breath, anticipating a possible clash. As tensions simmered, the international community sought resolutions through the Algeciras Conference in 1906. Here, the crisis began to come about peacefully settling differences with the aid of deliberations, where 13 nations gathered to mediate the fray. Amid heated negotiations, an agreement finally came about that preserved the status quo, granting France and Spain joint control over Moroccan security while affirming Morocco's independence nominally. The crisis marked a turning point in pre-WWI diplomacy, illustrating how the rising contest among European empires could swiftly come about as power struggles on foreign soil. Though the Europe-wide tensions would later culminate in the devastating Great War, the First Moroccan Crisis stands as a testament to the diplomatic maneuvers that attempted—albeit temporarily—to stave off imminent conflict.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Come About

What is the origin of come about?

The phrase 'come about' is nautical in origin, referring to a sailing maneuver where the vessel turns its bow into the wind, altering course. Over time, its usage shifted to denote the occurrence or emergence of events.

Can come about be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'come about' fits both formal and informal settings. Its versatility in describing the emergence of events makes it suitable for a variety of conversations, from casual to professional.

What is the difference between come about and occur?

'Come about' often implies a more gradual or unexpected event than 'occur', which is more neutral and direct. 'Come about' can suggest a result of circumstances, whereas 'occur' is straightforward in indicating an event's happening.

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

COME ABOUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Come About

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega