Come to the fore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Come to the fore" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something is becoming prominent or gaining attention in a particular situation. Example: "In times of crisis, true leaders often come to the fore and guide their teams through challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Religious authorities come to the fore.

The New Yorker

China and India continually come to the fore.

The New York Times

Symbolic gestures come to the fore instead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moderate voices must come to the fore.

The Guardian

It has come to the fore now for two reasons.

The Economist

Further debt relief will come to the fore in 2014.

The Economist

And so minimalism has come to the fore of late.

The New York Times

"Our different strengths would come to the fore.

The New York Times - Books

Buried in this series, by osmosis, you have race come to the fore, you have gender come to the fore, you have income disparity come to the fore".

The New York Times

Amazon reviews had only recently come to the fore.

The Guardian - Books

This is when mental snapshots come to the fore.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come to the fore" when you want to emphasize that something or someone is becoming more noticeable or important in a situation. It suggests a process of emerging and gaining prominence.

Common error

Avoid using "come to the fore" when simply describing something that is already well-known or established. This phrase is best suited for situations where something is newly emerging or gaining recognition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to the fore" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of becoming prominent or important. It's often used to describe the emergence of something previously less noticeable, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come to the fore" is a versatile expression used to denote the emergence or increasing prominence of something or someone. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "rise to prominence" or "emerge" exist, "come to the fore" offers a distinct nuance of gradual visibility. Ludwig AI validates its consistent application and broad acceptance across reputable sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing the concept of gaining importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Come to the forefront

A very similar phrasing with a slight variation in word choice.

Rise to prominence

More formal alternative emphasizing the act of gaining importance or fame.

Gain visibility

Focuses on becoming more noticeable or apparent.

Emerge

Single word alternative suggesting a sudden appearance or rise to prominence.

Surface

A concise alternative indicating the act of becoming visible or known.

Take center stage

Emphasizes assuming a leading or focal position.

Step into the limelight

Suggests entering public attention or fame.

Become apparent

Highlights the process of becoming clear or obvious.

Attract attention

Highlights the act of drawing focus or notice.

Make an appearance

Implies a formal or notable entrance into a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "Come to the fore" in a sentence?

"Come to the fore" is used to describe something or someone becoming prominent or important. For example: "In times of crisis, true leaders often "come to the fore"."

What can I say instead of "Come to the fore"?

You can use alternatives like "rise to prominence", "emerge", or "gain visibility" depending on the context.

Is "Come to the fore" formal or informal?

"Come to the fore" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in news reporting and professional settings than in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "Come to the fore" and "come to the forefront"?

The phrases are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "come to the forefront" slightly emphasizes being at the very front or leading position, while ""come to the fore"" simply means becoming prominent or noticeable.