come across

USAGE SUMMARY

"come across" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something encountered something or someone in an unexpected way, or when you want to express that something exists or is encountered in a certain way. Example: As I walked down the street, I came across an old friend from school.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you come across as a professional?

WikiHow

Here they come across intact.

The New York Times - Arts

I've come across it.

The Guardian

Does that come across?" she asked.

The New York Times

How did you come across this story?

The New York Times - Magazine

They have come across a constitutional charm.

The New Yorker

Had he come across any suspected spies?

The Guardian

I come across that phrase a lot.

The New York Times

So they come across as amateurs.

The New Yorker

Ever come across a purple emperor butterfly?

Independent

I haven't come across one since.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come across" to describe unintentional meetings or discoveries. For planned encounters, consider alternatives like "meet" or "find".

Common error

Avoid using "come across" when describing planned meetings or deliberate searches. "Come across" implies an element of chance or unexpectedness. Instead, use verbs like "meet", "find", or "discover" when the encounter is intentional.

How to use

Learn how to use "come across" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come across" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies either encountering something or someone unexpectedly or giving a specific impression. Examples from Ludwig highlight both uses, such as finding an item or how a person is perceived.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

29%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "come across" is a versatile phrase used to describe either an unexpected encounter or the impression someone gives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When writing, remember that this phrase is used to convey a sense of chance or unintentionality. Use alternative phrases when describing planned meetings. The phrase's versatility and frequent usage make it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chance upon

Similar to "stumble upon", suggests an element of luck in the discovery.

stumble upon

Replaces the accidental discovery aspect of "come across" with a slightly more unexpected feel.

discover accidentally

Highlights the unexpected nature of finding something.

find unexpectedly

Emphasizes the element of surprise in locating something.

run into

Similar to "come across" when referring to meeting someone unexpectedly.

encounter unexpectedly

More formal way of saying "come across", emphasizing the surprise element.

give the impression

Focuses on the appearance or feeling projected, rather than a physical meeting.

strike as

Focuses on the immediate impact something has on someone's perception.

appear to be

Emphasizes the perceived state or quality of something.

present oneself as

Highlights the act of consciously showing a specific image.

FAQs

How can I use "come across" in a sentence?

You can use "come across" to describe finding something unexpectedly, as in "I came across an old photo in the attic", or to describe how someone presents themselves, as in "He comes across as very confident".

What does it mean when someone says I "come across" as something?

When someone says you "come across" as something, they mean you give a certain impression or appear to have a particular quality. For example, "He "comes across as friendly"" suggests he appears to be friendly.

What are some alternatives to "come across" when talking about finding something?

Instead of "come across", you could use phrases like "stumble upon", "find unexpectedly", or "chance upon" to emphasize the accidental nature of the discovery.

Is it correct to use "come across" to describe a planned meeting?

While "come across" implies chance, it's more appropriate to use verbs like "meet", "find", or "discover" when the meeting is planned. Using "come across" in such contexts may sound unnatural.