COME OF AGE

Tiny House

"An individual must come of age through life's trials, understanding themselves and their surroundings, to truly grasp their potential and destiny."

📖 Definition

"Come of age" means to reach full legal adulthood or maturity, often involving a significant transformation or realization that marks readiness for new responsibilities.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

"Come of age" means to reach full legal adulthood or maturity, often involving a significant transformation or realization that marks readiness for new responsibilities.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
This phrasal verb cannot be split by other elements.
Register
Neutral
Used in both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
No
This phrasal verb does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple come of age Many young people come of age during college years.
Past Simple came of age He came of age during the tumultuous 1960s.
Present Continuous coming of age She is coming of age in a transformative period.
Present Perfect have come of age They have come of age in a rapidly changing world.

💡 When to Use

Coming into maturity
Use when referring to the process of reaching maturity, whether emotionally, socially, or legally.
Example: "She came of age when she started her first job."
Historical context
When talking about pivotal events that lead to significant developments or realizations, this phrase is appropriate.
Example: "During the Renaissance, European art came of age."
Cultural transitions
Apply to describe eras or movements gaining maturity or recognition within society.
Example: "Jazz music came of age in the 1920s."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using it with an object
❌ Wrong: She came of age her skills.
✅ Correct: She came of age through experience.
💡 Tip: Remember, it does not take an object.
Incorrect chronological use
❌ Wrong: He will had come of age.
✅ Correct: He will come of age.
💡 Tip: Use future or present, not future perfect.
Confusing literal and figurative use
❌ Wrong: The machine came of age.
✅ Correct: The technology came of age.
💡 Tip: Apply to people or ideas, not tangible objects.
Practice

COME OF AGE - 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 young prince came of age amid court intrigue and political change.

    Urban Compact Living
  • 2
    Listen to example

    As technology evolved, smartphones rapidly came of age.

    Urban Compact Living
  • 3
    Listen to example

    She came of age during the Civil Rights Movement, deeply influenced by its leaders.

    Urban Compact Living

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

mature grow up

Antonyms

remain immature

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"He truly ___ when he moved to the city and faced challenges independently."

comes at age
come of age
come of ages
comed of age

In Context

In the late 18th century, an artist named Francisco Goya came of age amidst political upheaval in Spain. Born in 1746, Goya's early life was spent under the rule of Charles III, a period of enlightenment in Spain. As Goya matured, he witnessed the transition to Charles IV's less reformative reign. It was during this time that Goya truly came of age as an artist, navigating court politics and gaining recognition. His work began reflecting the nuances of Spanish society, capturing both courtly life and the struggles of the common people. Despite his success, Goya was afflicted with a mysterious illness in the 1790s that left him deaf. This life-altering event marked another phase of coming of age for Goya, who began to create darker, more introspective works. His later pieces, known as the Black Paintings, revealed the horrors of war and the darkness of the human psyche, illustrating his continued evolution. The Peninsular War between France and Spain further influenced his art, as Goya documented the brutal realities of conflict. As he aged, Goya's art diverged from the grandeur of earlier portraits, focusing instead on the raw emotions and turmoil he had observed and experienced. Throughout these trials, Goya came of age not only as an artist but as an astute chronicler of his era's moral and social challenges.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Come Of Age

What is the origin of come of age?

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The phrase originates from the medieval European tradition denoting a young person's attainment of an age that conferred adult rights and responsibilities, frequently marked by ceremonies.

Can come of age be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, "come of age" can be employed in both contexts. It's versatile, fitting for literary discussions as well as informal narratives describing personal growth.

What is the difference between come of age and mature?

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"Come of age" often implies a societal or personal milestone, while "mature" generally refers to the ongoing development into adulthood, emphasizing emotional growth.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

grow upmature intodevelop intoevolve intoreach maturity
Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs
Tiny House 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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