come across this question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come across this question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about encountering a question, either by seeing it written down or someone asking it to you. For example, "While researching, I came across this question: What are the effects of climate change?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Watson, for example, might come across this question in a medical text: "What neurological condition contraindicates the use of bupropion?" The software may have bupropion, an antidepressant, in its database, but stumble on "contraindicates".

The New York Times - Tech

After laboring through the larger, more personal essay, students come across this question, see the word limit, think about how great it will be to go to bed once this app is submitted, then write down something about how cool the campus is and how the football team is awesome.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It wasn't like this was the first time I was coming across this question, but all the sudden what I felt inside was not an option to choose from.

Huffington Post

If you've read a magazine, listened to a radio show, browsed (or clicked on) the non-fiction section of a bookstore (or Amazon) or been a sentient being any time in the last decade or so, you will have come across some talking head fretting over questions like this.

The Guardian

The Times, where Gore had stopped to meet with the senior editors and reporters on his way to the speech at the New-York Historical Society, as part of the kickoff of the Prosperity and Progress tour, printed excerpts of the conversation that made it clear he had come across poorly, having answered questions by delivering little speeches on tangentially related topics.

The New Yorker

When you're a regular person going to church, you might come across these questions and you say, of course, I'm just a regular person, this isn't my profession and I haven't studied it, so of course it doesn't make sense to me.

Vice

One is likely to come across as many answers to that question as there are registered members of Equity: between 20,000-25,000, of whom one-third are generally thought to be working at any given time.

The Guardian

But even as I tried to come up with the kindest possible phrasing for "What the hell is wrong with you?" I knew my question would come across like a slap.

Huffington Post

Try to solve whatever question that you come across with.

WikiHow

If you randomly walk up and ask a question, it might come across as weird.

WikiHow

You don't want to come across as too demanding, but having this model letter in mind will help you think of questions to ask about the position.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come across this question" when you want to describe encountering a specific question in your reading or experience. It suggests a more casual discovery than a deliberate search.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "come across this question" might sound too informal for academic papers or formal reports. In those situations, consider using more formal alternatives like "encounter this question" or "address this question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come across this question" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of encountering or discovering a particular question. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it describes a chance or unexpected encounter, consistent with Ludwig AI’s assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come across this question" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe encountering a specific question, often by chance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While predominantly found in news and media and Wiki contexts, its informality may make it less suitable for academic or formal writing where alternatives like "encounter this question" may be more appropriate. Though Ludwig's examples are limited, they illustrate the phrase's natural use in describing how a particular question arose during a task or project.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encounter this question

Replaces "come across" with the more formal verb "encounter".

Find this question

Uses the more direct verb "find" instead of the idiomatic "come across".

Run into this question

Employs "run into" for a slightly more casual tone.

Stumble upon this question

Suggests a more accidental discovery of the question.

Face this question

Shifts the focus to dealing with the question directly.

Be presented with this question

Highlights the act of someone giving you the question.

Be confronted with this question

Implies a more challenging or difficult question.

Grapple with this question

Focuses on the struggle to understand or answer the question.

Deal with this question

Focuses on handling the question.

Address this question

Implies taking specific action to answer or resolve the question.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "come across this question" for a formal context?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "encounter this question" or "address this question" instead of "come across this question". These alternatives offer a more professional tone.

What does it mean to "come across this question"?

To "come across this question" means to find or encounter the question, usually unexpectedly or without specifically looking for it. It implies a casual or chance discovery.

What are some synonyms for "come across this question"?

Some synonyms include "encounter this question", "find this question", and "stumble upon this question". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it correct to say "came across this question"?

Yes, "came across this question" is the past tense form and is perfectly correct when referring to a past event of encountering the question. The present tense is "come across this question".