came about

USAGE SUMMARY

"came about" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to happen or occur. Here is an example: "The change in policy came about due to the overwhelming feedback from customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It just gradually came about".

The New York Times

"Brundibar" came about by chance.

The New Yorker

It came about by accident.

The Economist

It came about thus.

The Washington Post

Nothing came about".

The New York Times

It never came about".

The New York Times - Magazine

Major League Baseball came about in 1869.

The New York Times

The drawing came about by chance.

The New Yorker

A sort of self-loathing came about".

The New York Times

How this came about, I don't know.

The New Yorker

This came about through happenstance.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came about" to describe how a situation or event unfolded, particularly when the process wasn't planned or straightforward. It works well when explaining the circumstances that led to a particular result.

Common error

Avoid using "come about" when referring to a past event; "came about" is the past tense. Use "come about" for general statements about how things happen or for future possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came about" functions as an intransitive verb, indicating that something happened or originated. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts, illustrating its role in explaining how events unfolded or how situations developed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "came about" is a versatile and frequently used expression that explains how something happened or originated. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. Predominantly found in news media and scientific contexts, it serves to provide context and background, detailing the circumstances leading to an outcome. While alternatives like "occurred" or "happened" exist, "came about" often implies a process rather than a simple occurrence. Remember to use the correct tense, avoiding "come about" when referring to a past event, and employ "came about" to vividly describe the unfolding of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happened

This alternative is a more common and informal way of saying that something took place.

took place

This alternative is a neutral way of indicating that an event happened, without implying cause or origin.

occurred

This alternative is more formal and direct, simply stating that something happened.

began

This alternative highlights the start or commencement of something.

arose

This alternative suggests that something emerged or originated, often implying a gradual process.

emerged

This alternative focuses on the process of something becoming apparent or known.

originated

This alternative emphasizes the starting point or source of something.

developed

This alternative implies a gradual unfolding or progression over time.

resulted

This alternative highlights the consequence or outcome of a previous action or event.

materialized

This alternative suggests that something became real or concrete, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

How can I use "came about" in a sentence?

Use "came about" to describe how something happened or originated. For example, "The project "came about" after a series of unexpected events."

What's a more formal alternative to "came about"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "occurred" or "arose" in place of "came about".

Is "came about" the same as "happened"?

While similar, "happened" is a more general term. "Came about" often implies a process or series of events leading to the outcome.

Can "came about" be used to describe future events?

No, "came about" is the past tense of "come about". To describe a future event, use "come about". For example, "If certain conditions are met, this agreement may "come about"."