came over

USAGE SUMMARY

"came over" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used when talking about someone visiting or arriving to a certain place. For example, "My aunt came over for dinner last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People came over to meet them.

The New Yorker

Security immediately came over to question him.

The New York Times

She came over and we kissed cheeks.

The New Yorker

An aide came over with a note.

The New Yorker

"Alejandro came over," Mr. Brien said.

The New York Times

Eugene came over to look.

The New Yorker

She came over as a teenager.

Forbes

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Vice

Mike came over quietly.

Vice

"They came over and talked.

Huffington Post

My friend came over again.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "came over" to describe a visit, ensure the context clarifies who is visiting whom. For instance, "John came over to my house" is clearer than just "John came over."

Common error

Avoid using "came over at" when indicating time. Use "came over around" or "came over about" instead. For example, "He came over around 8 PM" is more appropriate than "He came over at 8 PM."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "came over" primarily functions as an intransitive verb indicating movement towards a specific location, often for a visit or social interaction. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples where people "came over" to meet, talk, or spend time together. It can also describe the sudden onset of a feeling or sensation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "came over" is a versatile phrasal verb primarily used to describe someone visiting a place or the sudden onset of a feeling. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is generally considered grammatically correct and acceptable, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional or academic contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, indicating a neutral to informal register. While "came over" is a useful and understandable phrase, being mindful of the context and register will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visited

A direct synonym, implying a deliberate act of going to see someone or something.

arrived

Focuses on the act of reaching a destination.

dropped by

Suggests an informal, often brief visit.

made a visit

More formal way to indicate someone came to see someone or something.

stopped by

Similar to "dropped by", but can also imply a brief pause during a journey.

paid a visit

A more formal and deliberate version of "visited".

was affected by

Used when "came over" implies being influenced or overcome by a feeling or sensation.

was seized by

Similar to "was affected by", but implies a stronger, more sudden impact.

befell

Describes something happening to someone, often unexpectedly.

occurred to

Describes an idea or thought coming to someone's mind.

FAQs

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

You can use "came over" to describe someone visiting a place, as in "My friend "came over" to my house last night". It can also describe a feeling that suddenly affects someone, like "A strange feeling "came over" me".

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

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "visited" or "paid a visit". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "came over at" a specific time?

While not grammatically incorrect, it is more common to use "came over around" or "came over about" when specifying a time. For example, "He "came over" around 8 PM" sounds more natural than "He came over at 8 PM".

When can "came over" refer to a feeling or sensation?

"Came over" can describe a sudden emotional or physical sensation. For instance, "A wave of sadness "came over" me" indicates a sudden onset of sadness.