come across — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings

come across

find by chance seem or give an impression

Meaning 1 · most common

find by chance

come across sth

Cleaning the attic, a woman lifts an old photo album out of a box of clothes, delighted.

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 “find by chance”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 meaning: seem or give an impression

Meaning 2

seem or give an impression

come across sth adjective/noun

To appear or be understood in a particular way by others.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She comes across as very confident in interviews.

A: Did I come across as rude in the meeting?
B: No, you were just being honest.

Common mistake

Not: He comes across cold.

Say: He comes across as cold.

For impressions, you need 'as' + adjective/noun: 'come across as friendly'.

More on “seem or give an impression”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I try to come across as friendly and open when meeting new people, especially in professional situations.

Tell it apart

She comes across as confident.

gives that impression

I came across an old photo.

found it by chance

Goes with

come across as + impression

Practice saying this

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find by chance seem or give an impression