came back with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came back with" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone returning with something, whether physically or figuratively. Example: After searching for hours, she finally came back with the missing documents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"But came back with 90".

The New York Times

I came back with my head down.

The New York Times

"But I came back with a wife".

The New York Times

He came back with a binder.

The New Yorker

Indianapolis came back with second-quarter touchdowns.

Independent

We came back with a trophy".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"All these kids coming back with problems.

The New York Times

She comes back with her work done".

The New Yorker

Come back with me now, Cahal".

The New Yorker

"He's come back with reckless abandon.

The New York Times - Sports

We come back with ideas".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came back with" to clearly indicate that someone or something returned from a place or activity accompanied by something else. For example, "After the meeting, she came back with a new strategy."

Common error

Ensure you clearly state what was brought back. Avoid vague sentences like, "He came back," without specifying what he "came back with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came back with" functions as a phrasal verb with a preposition, indicating a return to a place or situation accompanied by something. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, showing that it clearly signifies a return plus the acquisition or possession of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "came back with" is a common and correct way to indicate a return accompanied by something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and versatile, appearing in news, academic, and even casual contexts. While alternatives like "returned with" exist for more formal writing, "came back with" is generally suitable for most situations. Remember to clearly specify what accompanied the return to avoid ambiguity. Examples on Ludwig, extracted from a variety of sources, reinforce its widespread usage and contextual flexibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returned with

Replaces "came" with "returned", a more formal synonym.

arrived with

Emphasizes the arrival aspect of the phrase.

brought back

Focuses on the act of bringing something during the return.

reappeared with

Highlights the reappearance aspect.

emerged with

Suggests a gradual or unexpected return.

retrieved and returned with

Emphasizes the effort of retrieving before returning.

showed up with

Informal way to describe an arrival with something.

reentered with

Highlights the act of re-entering a place.

reported back with

Specifically refers to returning with information or a report.

was back, carrying

Breaks down the phrase into two parts, emphasizing the carrying aspect.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "came back with"?

You can use alternatives like "returned with", "arrived with", or "brought back" depending on the context.

How to use "came back with" in a sentence?

Use "came back with" to indicate someone returned to a place or situation and had something new in their possession. Example: "After the trip, they came back with souvenirs".

Is "came back with" formal or informal?

"Came back with" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, "returned with" may be more appropriate for very formal writing.

What's the difference between "came back with" and "went back for"?

"Came back with" implies a return after an absence, bringing something along. "Went back for" implies a deliberate return to retrieve something that was left behind. The focus is different: arrival versus retrieval.