come by sometime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come by sometime" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you would like to suggest that someone visit you at some unspecified time in the future. For example: "We should definitely catch up soon - why don't you come by sometime next week?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yeah, you should come by sometime and drop a C-bomb.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Come by after work and have a drink with us sometime," he said.

The New Yorker

In the lobby, as the security guard at her desk strained to hear, he made it known that he wouldn't mind if they came by to see him sometime.

The New Yorker

Or sometime we came by sea, hitching rides with friends who had boats and discovering crab houses in back creeks and coves that could be tricky to find on land.

The New York Times - Travel

Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the minority leader, said that "Republicans are risking another deep recession" by threatening to make the next debt extension, which will come up sometime after the elections, contingent on further spending cuts.

The New York Times

You should come over sometime.

The New Yorker

The book will come out sometime next year.

The New Yorker

That service will come out sometime in the fall.

The New York Times

You should come in sometime and talk about it".

The New Yorker

You got to come up sometime.' " He chuckled.

The New York Times

When I said no, he insisted, "Oh, you have to come down sometime".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come by sometime" to extend a casual invitation, leaving the exact timing open. It's perfect for situations where you want to be welcoming without committing to a specific date.

Common error

While "come by sometime" is casual, ensure the invitee has enough context. Specify a general timeframe (e.g., "come by sometime next week") to avoid ambiguity and increase the likelihood of a visit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come by sometime" functions as an invitation or suggestion, prompting someone to visit at an unspecified future time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come by sometime" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to extend an informal invitation for a visit at an unspecified time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a perfectly acceptable expression. It's most frequently found in news and media, and wiki contexts. While widely understood, it’s best used in casual settings; more formal situations might benefit from a more specific invitation. When using "come by sometime", consider providing some context to help the invitee understand the timeframe. For alternatives, consider phrases like "visit when you have time" or "drop in whenever you're free".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Visit us sometime

Slightly more general and open-ended invitation.

Come over when you can

Focuses on the visitor's ability to make it.

Drop in whenever you're free

Suggests a casual visit without a specific plan.

Come around when you get a chance

Implies the visit should happen when an opportunity arises.

Stop by at your convenience

Highlights the convenience for the visitor.

Swing by when you're available

Suggests a brief and informal visit.

Visit when you have time

Emphasizes the visitor's availability as the primary factor.

Feel free to visit anytime

Gives a broad invitation with no time constraints.

Look us up sometime

Suggests re-establishing contact and visiting.

Pay us a visit whenever you're in the area

Conditional on the visitor being nearby.

FAQs

How can I use "come by sometime" in a sentence?

You can use "come by sometime" to extend an open invitation, such as, "I'd love to see you again; "come by sometime" for coffee."

What's a more formal alternative to "come by sometime"?

For a more formal setting, consider phrases like "I invite you to visit at your convenience" or "We would be pleased if you would visit us at some point" instead of ""come by sometime"".

Is "come by sometime" grammatically correct?

Yes, "come by sometime" is grammatically correct and widely used in spoken and written English to suggest a casual and non-specific invitation.

What does "come by sometime" imply about the visit?

"Come by sometime" implies a casual, informal visit without a set date or time, suggesting flexibility and openness on the part of the inviter.