come around at once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come around at once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to request someone to return or arrive immediately. Example: "If you have a moment, please come around at once; I need to discuss something important with you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You wait years for a historical theory to be debunked and then three come around at once.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is nearly a career certainty: that unpleasant feeling of being stuck and not really knowing what to do about it comes around at least once over the course of a working life.

BBC

She once hired some day laborers to do work around her house and thought they were coming around at night".

The New York Times

After all, birthdays come around only once a year.

The Guardian - Travel

The Calvin Johnsons come around only once every three or four years.

The New York Times

But as she took part in the demonstration, one primary school teacher in London said that while parents had at first been skeptical of the walkout, they had come around once they understood what was at stake.

The New York Times

Even so if he exists at all he will come around for sure once Paulina is selected by a recruiter to compete in the Miss Ghana contest.

The New Yorker

Even so — if he exists at all — he will come around for sure once Paulina is selected by a recruiter to compete in the Miss Ghana contest.

The New Yorker

Starting at £59, it's not cheap - but truffles only come around once a year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Opportunities to humiliate New Zealand come around once in an eternity.

Independent

A President Hollande, he said, would no doubt come around once he was in office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come around at once" when you need someone to return to your location immediately, especially if they are nearby. It implies a sense of urgency and a quick return is expected.

Common error

Avoid using "come around at once" in situations where the required action is not a physical return or visit. The phrase is best suited for scenarios involving physical presence, not abstract actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come around at once" functions as an imperative, specifically a directive. It instructs someone to return or arrive immediately. Ludwig confirms the phrase's usability, aligning with its function as a direct command.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come around at once" is a directive phrase used to urgently request someone's immediate return or arrival. While grammatically correct, according to Ludwig, its usage is relatively uncommon, often appearing in news and media contexts. The phrase is best used when a quick physical presence is necessary and appropriate for the relationship between the individuals involved. Alternatives like "return immediately" or "arrive right away" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Proper context ensures clear communication and avoids potential misunderstandings. Ludwig provides further examples to illustrate its diverse applications and confirm its proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return immediately

Focuses on the act of going back without delay, emphasizing the return action.

return without delay

Specifies that the return should be prompt and swift.

arrive right away

Highlights the speed and promptness of arrival.

arrive promptly

Focuses on arriving in a timely manner, emphasizing punctuality.

come back immediately

Combines the concepts of returning and doing so without delay.

make an immediate return

This is a more formal way to say return immediately

get here instantly

Stresses the need for immediate arrival, suggesting urgency.

be here directly

Highlights the need for immediacy and a straight path to the location.

report here now

Indicates a need to present oneself at a specific location without delay, often in a professional context.

reach here instantly

Implies urgency and immediate presence at a certain location.

FAQs

How can I use "come around at once" in a sentence?

You can use "come around at once" to urgently request someone to return to your location. For example, "If you have a moment, please come around at once; I need to discuss something important with you."

What is a more formal alternative to "come around at once"?

A more formal alternative would be "return immediately" or "make an immediate return", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "come around at once"?

It's appropriate when you require someone to return to your current location without delay. This phrase is best used when a quick physical presence is necessary.

What's the difference between "arrive right away" and "come around at once"?

"Arrive right away" generally means to get to a specific place as quickly as possible, while "come around at once" specifically asks someone to return or come back to the speaker's location immediately.