Part 2 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

down to down with forward in off off as

come + down to · 1 of 6

come down to

to be the most important aspect of something

come down to sth

To mean that everything depends on or is mainly about one main thing.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

In the end, choosing the right university comes down to what you want to study.

A: Why did you pick that job over the others?
B: Honestly, it just came down to the salary.

Common mistake

Not: In the end it comes down on the price.

Say: In the end it comes down to the price.

'Come down TO' the key factor — not 'down on'.

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

Another example

When deciding where to live, it often comes down to cost and convenience.

Tell it apart

It all comes down to money in the end.

the deciding factor

Prices came down a lot last year.

decreased

Goes with

it comes down to + factor

Practice saying this

Next: come down with

come + down with · 2 of 6

come down with

become ill

come down with illness

To start to feel sick with a particular illness, usually something not too serious like a cold or the flu.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I think I'm coming down with a cold because my throat feels sore.

A: You look tired. Are you okay?
B: Not really. I think I'm coming down with something.

Common mistake

Not: I came down a cold last week.

Say: I came down with a cold last week.

Always 'come down WITH' an illness.

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

Another example

Last week, I couldn't go to work because I came down with the flu and had to rest at home.

Tell it apart

I'm coming down with a cold.

starting to get ill

I picked up a cold on the train.

caught it, often naming where

Goes with

come down with + illness

Practice saying this

Next: come forward

come + forward · 3 of 6

come forward

offer information or help

come forward with sth

to offer to give information or help, especially when it is needed or asked for.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

No one came forward with any information about the missing bag.

A: Someone left their phone in the library.
B: Oh, maybe I should come forward and let them know I found it.

Common mistake

Not: Witnesses came forward with to the police.

Say: Witnesses came forward with information. / Witnesses came forward to the police.

'Come forward WITH information' or 'come forward TO the police' — don't combine 'with to'.

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

Another example

In my opinion, more people should come forward to support community projects, because it helps everyone.

Tell it apart

A witness came forward with new evidence.

volunteered it

A witness came up with a theory.

thought one up

Goes with

come forward (with)

Practice saying this

Next: come in

come + in · 4 of 6

come in

enter (a place)

come in to somewhere

to enter a room or building, especially after being outside or after knocking.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

She knocked on the door and waited for someone to tell her to come in.

A: Can I come in?
B: Sure, the door's open!

Common mistake

Not: Please come ~~in to~~ the room.

Say: Please come in. / Please come into the room.

Bare 'come in', or 'come INTO the room' — not 'come in to the room'.

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

Another example

If I arrive early for a job interview, I usually wait until someone asks me to come in before entering the office.

Tell it apart

Come in and take a seat.

enter this space

Come round after work.

come to my place

Goes with

come in

Practice saying this

Next: come off

come + off · 5 of 6

come off

succeed

come off sth

To happen as planned or to be successful.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The event came off better than anyone expected.

A: How did your presentation go?
B: It actually came off really well, thanks!

Common mistake

Not: The surprise party came off ~~good.~~

Say: The surprise party came off well.

Use the adverb 'well' with 'come off', not 'good'.

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

Another example

I was nervous about organizing the school festival, but in the end, everything came off perfectly and everyone enjoyed it.

Tell it apart

The surprise party came off perfectly.

succeeded as planned

The label came off in the wash.

became detached

Goes with

come off + manner

Practice saying this

Next: come off as

come + off as · 6 of 6

come off as

seem to be a particular type of person

come off as adjective/noun

To give people a certain impression of your personality, attitude, or mood, often without meaning to.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

He can come off as a bit arrogant, but he's actually very friendly once you get to know him.

A: Did you like the new manager?
B: Yeah, but she comes off as really strict at first.

Common mistake

Not: I don't want to come off rude.

Say: I don't want to come off as rude.

Use 'come off AS + description' — don't drop the 'as'.

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

Another example

In group discussions, I sometimes worry that I come off as too quiet, even though I'm paying attention.

Tell it apart

She comes off as shy at first.

gives that impression

The handle came off in my hand.

detached

Goes with

come off as + trait

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 down to come down with come forward come in come off come off as