came on

USAGE SUMMARY

'came on' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something beginning or arriving, either literally or figuratively. For example: "The sun came on the horizon.", or "The song came on the radio and everyone started singing along."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

By comparison, this recession came on suddenly.

The New York Times

He went offstage and came on again.

The New Yorker

The cramping came on quickly.

Los Angeles Times

Then the left one came on today.

BBC

The car came on.

The New Yorker

Music came on.

The New Yorker

The houselights came on.

The New Yorker

"They came on.

The New York Times

Scott came on foot.

The Economist

The lights came on.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It came on-line in September 2008.

New Astronomy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came on" to indicate the start of something, the arrival of someone, or the activation of a device. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately conveys your intended meaning. For example, "The rain came on suddenly" or "The lights came on after the power outage."

Common error

Avoid using "came on" in highly formal contexts when a more sophisticated synonym like 'began' or 'commenced' would be more appropriate. While acceptable in many situations, it can sometimes sound too casual.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "came on" primarily functions as a dynamic verb, indicating the beginning of an action, event, or state. Ludwig examples show its use to describe the sudden onset of phenomena or the arrival of individuals, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "came on" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the commencement, arrival, or activation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Ludwig's examples showcase its prevalence in news and media, while its usage in more formal academic settings should be considered cautiously, favoring alternatives like "began" or "initiated". To ensure clarity, contextual awareness is key when deploying this phrase. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various communication channels, but always consider your audience and purpose to determine the most appropriate word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began

Focuses on the commencement of an action or state, removing the sense of physical approach.

started

Highlights the initiation of something, similar to 'began' but can also imply an engine or mechanism starting.

arrived

Emphasizes the reaching of a destination or state.

appeared

Stresses the visibility or manifestation of something, rather than its initiation.

was activated

Specifically refers to something being turned on or made operational.

was released

Indicates a public launch or unveiling, often used for products or information.

entered the scene

Focuses on the introduction or entrance of a person or element into a situation.

took effect

Implies that a rule, law, or agreement began to be enforced.

emerged

Suggests something coming out of obscurity or concealment.

got underway

Indicates the beginning of a process or journey.

FAQs

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

You can use "came on" to indicate that something started, like "The rain "came on" suddenly", or that someone arrived, as in "The guest "came on" time".

What's a more formal way to say "came on"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "began", "started", or "arrived".

Is "came on" appropriate for academic writing?

While "came on" is generally acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "commenced" or "initiated" in academic writing for a more professional tone.

What does "came on" mean when referring to a device?

When referring to a device, "came on" typically means it was activated or turned on, like "The television "came on" when I pressed the power button".