Part 1 of 3 · Same verb · different particle

“come” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. “come” has 18 of them, so they come in 3 parts. Learn these 6 one at a time, then test yourself.

18 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

come

across along apart around back down

come + across · 1 of 6

come across

find by chance

come across sth

To find or discover something or someone unexpectedly, without looking for it.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I came across an old photo album while cleaning the attic.

A: Where did you get that book?
B: I just came across it at a second-hand shop yesterday.

Common mistake

Not: I came across ~~with~~ an interesting article.

Say: I came across an interesting article.

'Come across' takes the object directly — no 'with' (that changes the meaning).

More on “come across”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During my research, I came across several interesting articles that changed my perspective.

Tell it apart

I came across an old letter.

found it by chance

He comes across as shy.

gives that impression

Goes with

come across + find

Practice saying this

Next: come along

come + along · 2 of 6

come along

go somewhere with someone

come along with sb
also: come along with

to go somewhere with someone, often when they invite you or as part of a group.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

We're going to the park later—do you want to come along?

A: I'm heading to the new café after work. Want to come along?
B: Sure, I'd love to!

Common mistake

Not: Do you want to come along ~~with~~ to the cinema?

Say: Do you want to come along to the cinema? / ...come along with us?

'Come along' alone, or 'come along WITH us' — don't leave 'with' dangling.

More on “come along”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I have to attend a social event, I usually ask a friend to come along so I don't feel awkward.

Tell it apart

Come along with us tonight.

join us

Come round to mine tonight.

come to my place

Goes with

come along (to)

Practice saying this

Next: come apart

come + apart · 3 of 6

come apart

break into pieces

To separate into pieces, usually because something is weak or damaged.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

My old shoes came apart after just a few months.

A: What happened to your bag?
B: It just came apart when I tried to pick it up.

Common mistake

Not: The toy came ~~apart in~~ pieces.

Say: The toy came apart. / The toy fell to pieces.

'Come apart' already means separate into pieces — 'apart in pieces' is redundant.

More on “come apart”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, cheap furniture often comes apart quickly, so it's better to invest in better quality.

Tell it apart

The chair came apart when he sat down.

fell into pieces

He came apart when he heard the news.

broke down emotionally — different sense

Goes with

come apart

Practice saying this

Next: come around

come + around · 4 of 6

come around

visit (someone's home)

come around to sb's place/house

to visit someone at their home, usually for a short time or social reason.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Why don't you come around for dinner tonight?

A: Are you free this weekend?
B: Yeah, I can come around on Saturday if you like.

Common mistake

Not: Come around in my house at 7.

Say: Come around to my house at 7.

Use 'come around to + place' (or just 'come around' / 'come round').

More on “come around”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I have free time, I usually come around to my grandparents' house to check on them.

Tell it apart

Come around for dinner on Sunday.

visit my home

I'm slowly coming around to your point of view.

starting to agree

Goes with

come around + for/to

Practice saying this

Next: come back

come + back · 5 of 6

come back

return

come back to/from somewhere

to return to a place where you were before.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She came back from her holiday last night.

A: When will you come back home?
B: I’ll be back around 7 pm.

Common mistake

Not: She came back to home late.

Say: She came back home late. / She came home late.

No 'to' before 'home' — 'come back home' or just 'come home'.

More on “come back”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I could travel anywhere, I’d love to visit Japan and then come back with lots of new experiences.

Tell it apart

Come back when you're ready.

return towards me

Go back and check the door.

return there, away from me

Goes with

come back (to)

Practice saying this

Next: come down

come + down · 6 of 6

come down

move from a higher to a lower place

come down from/to/off sth

To move from a higher position to a lower one, either physically or metaphorically.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Could you come down from your room? Dinner is ready.

A: Where's Mia?
B: She's coming down the stairs now.

Common mistake

Not: Come down of the ladder, it's not safe.

Say: Come down from the ladder, it's not safe.

'Come down FROM' a high place, not 'of'.

More on “come down”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my hometown, the mountains are beautiful, and sometimes we come down from the hills to visit the city center.

Tell it apart

Come down, dinner's ready!

move to a lower floor

Come over, dinner's ready!

come to my place

Goes with

come down (from)

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “come” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “come” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

All of “come”

18 phrasal verbs in 3 parts.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

come across come along come apart come around come back come down