come alone

USAGE SUMMARY

'come alone' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a request or command to tell someone to come without additional people. For example, "Please come alone when you come to visit me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He had come alone.

The New Yorker

Women never come alone.

The New York Times

He continues to come alone.

The New York Times

That was why she had come alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Geldof had not come alone.

The New Yorker

They come alone and they come with partners.

The New Yorker

Pick of the album:'Sometimes', 'Come Alone', 'Blown a Wish'.

Independent

When Morgan arrived, Melvin discovered Morgan had not come alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Rarely do these hunters and gatherers come alone.

The New York Times

The kidnapper tells her: "I told you to come alone".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was proud to have come alone to America.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come alone" when you want to clearly instruct or request someone to arrive without any companions. It's suitable for situations where privacy or individual attention is required.

Common error

Avoid using "come alone" when you simply mean someone is feeling lonely. The phrase implies a specific instruction, not a state of being. Instead, use phrases like "feeling lonely" or "isolated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come alone" functions primarily as an imperative, directly instructing or requesting someone to arrive without company. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable phrase in English. Examples show it used both as a command and a condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come alone" is a grammatically correct and frequently used imperative, primarily found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its function as a direct instruction to arrive without companions. While alternatives like "arrive solo" or "attend unaccompanied" exist, "come alone" maintains a neutral register and is widely understood. The key is to use it appropriately, recognizing its primary function as an instruction rather than a description of loneliness. Common mistakes involve misinterpreting its purpose, making it crucial to understand the context for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come by yourself

Directly addresses the individual, indicating they should come without others.

arrive solo

Replaces "come" with "arrive" and "alone" with "solo", maintaining the meaning but sounding slightly more formal.

show up solo

Similar to "arrive solo" but slightly more informal.

attend unaccompanied

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the same meaning, emphasizing the lack of an escort.

appear without company

Focuses on the absence of companions.

venture forth independently

Emphasizes the act of going out and doing something on your own, suggesting a sense of self-reliance.

visit independently

Emphasizes the self-reliant aspect of visiting a place.

make an appearance by oneself

Highlights the act of showing up without company, often used in social contexts.

travel solo

Specifically refers to the act of traveling without companions.

go there without anyone

Simplifies the phrase using more common vocabulary, suitable for casual conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "come alone" to instruct someone to arrive without company, as in, "The kidnapper told her: "I told you to come alone""

What are some alternatives to "come alone"?

Alternatives include "arrive solo", "attend unaccompanied", or "come by yourself", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "come alone"?

Yes, "come alone" is grammatically correct and widely used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English.

What does "come alone" imply?

"Come alone" implies a direct instruction to arrive without any companions, often for reasons of privacy, security, or individual focus.