Come bottom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'Come bottom' is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
To make it correct, you would need to use the phrase 'Come to the bottom' or 'Come to the bottom of the page'. For example, 'If you need more information, come to the bottom of the page for a link to our website.'.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Christmas Day and Boxing Day come bottom of the table.

Independent

Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland come bottom.

The Guardian - Money

In July, Thurrock had come bottom of the Government's happiness survey.

Independent

Had France, Sweden or Canada been included on this graph, the UK would still come bottom.

The Guardian - Opinion

The country that comes top, or near the top, in tables where it's better to come bottom, we also come bottom, or near the bottom, in tables where it's better to come top.

The Guardian - Opinion

"By making this change we are trying to level the playing field so that child maintenance doesn't come bottom of the list," it said.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(The US came bottom).

The Guardian - Opinion

The company came bottom of a Which?

The Guardian - Business

Manchester City, part of the same group that year, came bottom.

Independent

Tesco came bottom of the rankings of FTSE 100 companies.

The Guardian - Business

The Poles should have come third, and the country that came bottom was Jordan, not Poland.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating position in a ranking or survey, use the phrase "come in last place" or "rank last" instead of the less grammatically sound phrase "come bottom".

Common error

Avoid using "come bottom" as a direct replacement for "finish last" or "end up last". While understandable, it's not considered standard English. Instead, opt for clearer phrases like "end up at the bottom" or "be the least successful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come bottom" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the attainment of the lowest position in a ranking or list. While it is used to describe a final position, Ludwig AI identifies it as not grammatically correct. It's advised to replace with other forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "come bottom" appears in various contexts, including news and online content, Ludwig AI indicates that it isn't considered grammatically correct. It functions to describe reaching the lowest position, but it's advised to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "finish last", "rank last", or "end up at the bottom". Using these alternatives ensures clarity and correctness in your writing. Given the frequency of use in news and media, it's important to be aware of its informal nature and to adjust your language accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Come in last place

Formal and competition-oriented, focusing on the competitive aspect of being last.

Be the lowest-ranked

Highlights being at the bottom of a ranking, adding a layer of comparison.

Rank last

Focuses specifically on the concept of ranking, which alters the context from simply reaching the bottom.

Finish last

Emphasizes the final position in a competition or sequence.

Reach the lowest point

Highlights the action of descending to the nadir, shifting focus from comparison to a process.

End up at the bottom

Indicates a final state of being in the lowest position, implying a journey or process.

Be at the foot

Suggests placement at the base of something, which could be literal or figurative.

Occupy the bottom spot

Formal and emphasizes holding the position at the bottom, adding a layer of formality.

Be the worst

Directly states being in the poorest condition or performance, omitting the spatial element.

Be the least successful

Focuses on the lack of success rather than physical position, modifying the focus.

FAQs

How can I use the idea of "come bottom" correctly in a sentence?

Instead of "come bottom", use alternatives like "finish last", "rank last", or "end up at the bottom" depending on the context.

What's a more formal way to say "come bottom"?

For a more formal tone, use phrases such as "occupy the bottom spot" or "be the lowest-ranked" instead of "come bottom".

Is "come bottom" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "come bottom" is not a correct and usable phrase in written English. It's better to use alternatives that are grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "come bottom" and "be the worst"?

"Come bottom" implies reaching the lowest position in a ranking or list, while "be the worst" suggests being in the poorest condition or performing the least effectively. They are contextually different.