come at

USAGE SUMMARY

"come at" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: "Come at me with your best shot!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Come at me Twitter.

Independent

"People would come at them".

The New York Times

"You didn't come at breakfast".

The New Yorker

"Come at me, Martha Stewart.

The New Yorker

Cultures come at us whole.

The New Yorker

Most improvements come at high computational cost.

Geoderma

The police come at 6am or 10pm.

Independent

But they come at a hefty premium.

The New York Times - Tech

But these advances come at a price.

The New York Times - Magazine

But expansion has come at a cost.

The New York Times

"It doesn't come at the end.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come at" to describe approaching a topic or situation from a specific angle or perspective. For instance, "We need to come at this problem from a different angle to find a solution".

Common error

Avoid using "come at" in contexts where a gentler approach is intended. It can sometimes imply aggression or confrontation, which might not be suitable for all situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come at" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating either a physical approach with possible aggression or a way of addressing a problem or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "come at" is a versatile expression, primarily functioning to describe either a physical approach, often with an aggressive connotation, or a method of addressing a problem or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, although more formal settings may benefit from alternative phrases like "approach" or "address". Common usages appear in news and media, reflecting its relevance in describing both confrontational and strategic actions. While effective, it's important to be mindful of its potentially aggressive tone and choose it judiciously. Remember that using it to mean approach something from a different angle can be highly effective in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attack

Emphasizes a forceful and aggressive action, highlighting the confrontational aspect.

assail

Implies a vehement or violent attack, more intense than "come at".

confront

Focuses on facing a challenge or opponent directly, emphasizing the act of engagement.

set upon

Suggests a sudden and often violent attack.

approach

Focuses on the method or strategy of dealing with something, less direct than "come at".

descend upon

Implies a sudden and overwhelming arrival or attack.

tackle

Implies dealing with a problem or task directly and resolutely.

move towards

Suggests a direction or intention of advancing towards something, more general than "come at".

deal with

Suggests handling or managing something, less aggressive than "come at".

reach

Highlights the act of arriving or attaining, differing from the potential action in "come at".

FAQs

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

You can use "come at" to describe physically approaching someone, as in "He came at me with a knife", or to describe approaching a problem or situation, as in "Let's come at this issue from a different perspective".

What does it mean to "come at" someone?

To "come at" someone can mean to physically attack them or to verbally challenge them. The meaning depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "come at"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives like "approach", "attack", or "confront".

Is it appropriate to use "come at" in formal writing?

While "come at" is grammatically correct, its slightly informal tone might not be suitable for all formal writing. Consider alternatives like "address" or "approach" for a more formal register.