come and go

USAGE SUMMARY

'come and go' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as an idiom to describe something that happens repeatedly or randomly. For example: "We have lots of visitors come and go throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Friends come and go".

The New York Times

Genres come and go.

The New York Times

Fortunes come and go.

The New York Times

Goals come and go.

The New York Times

Reformers come and go.

The Economist

Oligarchs come and go.

The New York Times

Deer come and go.

The New Yorker

Supporters come and go.

The New York Times

"Coaches come and go.

The New York Times

Countries come and go.

The Economist

Fashions come and go.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come and go" to describe phenomena that repeatedly appear and disappear, such as feelings, trends, or visitors.

Common error

Avoid using "come and go" in contexts that require a more specific description of movement or change. For example, don't use it if you need to emphasize a one-time departure or a permanent change.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "come and go" is as a verb phrase functioning as a predicate. Ludwig examples show it is used to describe a recurring or transient action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come and go" is a versatile idiom used to describe the transient or intermittent nature of various phenomena. As Ludwig's examples show, it appears frequently in news articles, scientific papers, and business communications. Ludwig AI validates that it follows standard grammatical rules. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for diverse contexts, highlighting the recurring and fluctuating presence of everything from feelings and trends to visitors and opportunities. Use "come and go" to express the idea of things appearing and disappearing over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come and disappear

Directly replaces "go" with "disappear", focusing on the vanishing aspect.

appear and disappear

Replaces "come and go" with synonyms emphasizing the alternating presence and absence.

wax and wane

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe something that increases and decreases over time.

ebb and flow

Employs a different metaphor to suggest a fluctuating movement or change.

arrive and depart

Offers a more formal alternative, focusing on the acts of arrival and departure.

go back and forth

Indicates movement in two directions, implying an alternation between states or locations.

alternate between

Highlights the repeated switching between two conditions or states.

arise and fade

Suggests a transient nature, where things emerge and then disappear.

be intermittent

Shifts to a more descriptive phrase indicating that something is not continuous or steady.

are transient

Uses a more academic or formal term to describe something that lasts only for a short time.

FAQs

How can I use "come and go" in a sentence?

You can use "come and go" to describe things that appear and disappear repeatedly. For example, "Opportunities "come and go", so you need to be ready to seize them when they arise."

What does "come and go" mean?

The phrase "come and go" means to appear and disappear, or to be present intermittently. It often implies a sense of transience or impermanence.

Which is more appropriate: "come and go" or "arrive and depart"?

"Come and go" is generally more informal and suggests a repeated or fluctuating pattern of movement. "Arrive and depart" is more formal and typically refers to specific instances of arrival and departure.

What are some alternatives to saying "come and go"?

Alternatives include phrases like "appear and disappear", "wax and wane", or "ebb and flow", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.