come across as

USAGE SUMMARY

"come across as" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a particular impression someone or something gives off. For example, "The mayor came across as very competent in the interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You've got to come across as straight".

The New York Times

Does he come across as too young?

The New York Times

Poetry might come across as too feminine.

The Guardian

Rap artists come across as more believable.

The New York Times - Magazine

Drugmakers come across as evil, faceless corporations.

Forbes

Do you come across as a professional?

WikiHow

Try not to come across as too stressed or tense.

WikiHow

You can't come across as someone who is "only human".

WikiHow

She didn't come across as warm.

University of California, Berkeley

Don't come across as desperate.

WikiHow

Otherwise, it will come across as overwhelming.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come across as" to describe the impression someone or something creates, not as a direct synonym for 'is'. For example, "He comes across as friendly", not "He comes across as being here".

Common error

Avoid overusing "come across as" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise verbs to convey the intended meaning. Overusing it could weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come across as" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting the subject to a descriptive adjective or noun phrase that indicates the perceived quality or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come across as" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the impression someone or something creates. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it's prevalent across various contexts, ranging from News & Media to Wiki entries, writers should consider the formality of their writing and choose more precise language when appropriate. Alternatives like "appear to be" or "seem to be" can offer subtle differences in meaning. The phrase's neutral register makes it widely applicable, but its overuse, particularly in formal writing, should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come off as

Similar meaning, but slightly more informal.

appear to be

Focuses on outward presentation; slightly more formal.

seem to be

Emphasizes perception or impression; subtly different nuance.

be perceived as

Focuses on how others view someone or something.

give the impression of

More descriptive; emphasizes the act of creating an impression.

be regarded as

Implies a more considered or established opinion.

strike as

Suggests a sudden or immediate impression.

present as

Highlights the manner of presentation; more intentional.

look like

Focuses solely on visual appearance; less nuanced.

sound like

Applies primarily to auditory impressions; context-specific.

FAQs

How to use "come across as" in a sentence?

"Come across as" is used to describe the impression someone or something gives. For instance, "She "comes across as confident" in her presentations".

What can I say instead of "come across as"?

Alternatives include "appear to be", "seem to be", or "give the impression of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "coming across as"?

Yes, "coming across as" is the present participle form and is correct when used in continuous tenses or as part of a descriptive phrase. For example, "His speech was "coming across as rehearsed"".

What's the difference between "come across as" and "come off as"?

While both phrases are very similar, "come off as" is generally considered slightly more informal than "come across as". They are largely interchangeable in everyday conversation.