come bearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come bearing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone’s arrival or entrance into a place while carrying something. For example: “The visitors came bearing gift baskets for the employees.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Two come bearing surprises.

The Guardian

Then again, the President didn't come bearing fireworks.

The New Yorker

But Turnbull has not come bearing promises or money.

The Guardian

2.41pm BST Afternoon all I come bearing weirdness.

The Guardian - Sport

When the villagers come bearing pitchforks, they must be sowing a garden.

The New York Times

The gravitational waves come bearing information about where they have come from.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He also came bearing gifts.

The New York Times

After all, they came bearing good news.

The Guardian - Sport

He comes bearing toys, not memorabilia.

The New York Times - Sports

On Thursday, AO came bearing brighter news.

The Guardian - Business

On Christmas Eve, he came bearing presents.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come bearing" to add a touch of formality or imagery to your writing, particularly when describing the arrival of someone with gifts, news, or other significant items.

Common error

Avoid using "come bearing" in purely literal contexts where a more straightforward verb like "bring" or "carry" would suffice. This phrase is most effective when it suggests a symbolic or meaningful offering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come bearing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the manner of arrival or approach. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence. It suggests that the subject arrives with something significant, whether tangible or intangible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come bearing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to denote arrival with something significant. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing many examples from reputable sources. Predominantly found in news and media, it adds a layer of formality or symbolism, according to Ludwig, beyond a simple act of bringing. When writing, it's best employed in contexts where the arrival is noteworthy, either due to the item brought or the overall situation. Alternatives include "arrive with" or "bring along" for less formal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive carrying

Highlights the physical act of carrying something upon arrival.

arrive with

Focuses on the act of arriving while also indicating the action of having something along.

bring along

Emphasizes the act of bringing something or someone when arriving.

enter with

Highlights the action of entering a space while carrying or possessing something.

show up with

Focuses on the act of appearing and having something at the moment of arrival.

come equipped with

Indicates that someone or something arrives with certain tools or features.

turn up with

Similar to "show up with", but slightly more informal.

present with

Emphasizes the act of offering or giving something at arrival.

approach with

Focuses on the manner of approaching while also indicating the action of bringing something along.

be accompanied by

Focuses on the state of being accompanied, often implying importance to the arrival.

FAQs

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

You can use "come bearing" to describe someone arriving with something significant, such as "The diplomats "came bearing" a peace treaty" or "She "came bearing" gifts for the children".

What are some alternatives to "come bearing"?

Alternatives include "arrive with", "bring along", or "arrive carrying", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "came bearing" or should I use "come bearing"?

Both "came bearing" and "come bearing" are correct, but "came bearing" is used for past events, while "come bearing" is used for present or future scenarios, or in more general statements.

What's the difference between "come bearing gifts" and "bring gifts"?

"Come bearing gifts" often implies a more ceremonial or symbolic arrival with gifts, whereas "bring gifts" is a more straightforward and literal description of carrying gifts.