Meaning trap
come across
seem or give an impression
To appear or be understood in a particular way by others.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To appear or be understood in a particular way by others.
Another meaning of 'come across' is 'find by chance'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
She comes across as very confident in interviews.
I try to come across as friendly and open when meeting new people, especially in professional situations.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He comes across cold.
Say: He comes across as cold.
For impressions, you need 'as' + adjective/noun: 'come across as friendly'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Come across as' is how people describe the impression someone gives; the formal version is bookish.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
come across as + impression
- as confident
- as rude
- as genuine
- as nervous
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- come across (find by chance) — Another meaning of 'come across' is 'find by chance'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.