come and look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come and look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to invite someone to observe or examine something, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "If you're curious about the new exhibit, come and look at the artwork we've just installed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Come and look".

The New Yorker

"Come and look at this".

The New Yorker

Come and look at our work!' ".

The New York Times

"But we had to come and look".

The New York Times

"Darling, come and look at this.

The Guardian

They come and look at the campus, they come and look at the library.

The Guardian

When it's finished, I come and look at the video".

The New York Times

"Come and look at the TV," he says excitedly.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said, come and look through the camera.

The Guardian - Film

Some people would come and look and just run away.

The Guardian - Music

"Come and look us up sometime," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "take a look" or "have a look" for variety in your writing.

Common error

While "come and look" is widely understood, it's less appropriate for formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated phrasing like 'observe' or 'examine' in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "come and look" is that of an imperative phrase. It directly instructs or invites someone to perform an action – in this case, to come and observe something. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in everyday conversation and narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come and look" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to invite someone to observe something. According to Ludwig, it functions as an imperative phrase, primarily used in neutral to informal contexts, such as news and media, science, and formal business communications. While widely accepted, it's best to reserve "come and look" for casual settings and opt for more formal alternatives like "take a look", or "observe" in academic or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come see

A more concise and informal way of inviting someone to observe.

take a look

Suggests a brief examination or observation.

have a look

Similar to 'take a look' but slightly more common in British English.

check this out

An enthusiastic and informal invitation to observe something interesting.

come and see this

Adds specificity by indicating a particular object or event to observe.

observe this

A more formal way to direct someone's attention to something.

cast your eyes on

A more poetic and dramatic way to invite someone to look.

behold

An archaic and emphatic way to present something for viewing.

direct your gaze

A formal and somewhat clinical way to instruct someone to look.

take notice of

Focuses on drawing attention to something that might be easily missed.

FAQs

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

You can use "come and look" to invite someone to observe something. For example, "Darling, "come and look at this", it's the kind of thing you'd just walk past without even noticing".

What are some alternatives to "come and look"?

Alternatives include "take a look", "have a look", or "check this out", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "come and look" grammatically correct?

Yes, "come and look" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, particularly in informal contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig.

When should I avoid using "come and look"?

Avoid using "come and look" in formal or academic writing. More appropriate alternatives in those contexts would be "observe" or "examine".