come december

USAGE SUMMARY

"come December" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an event that is expected to happen in the future. For example, "Come December, we should be finished with our renovations to the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Come December, he'll have to pay for the privilege.

The Washington Post

"But come December, I'm expecting a good harvest.

The New York Times

But, come December, Hodge would move to Tottenham.

The Guardian - Sport

Come December, she went on, "I don't know how many people you're going to have left".

The New Yorker

Come December or January I'll have a better idea of what I'm going to do.

Independent

And it will be a treat to look again come December.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Will we all be producing vertical video come December 2016?

The Guardian

Come December 11, you're going to have to pay more for expedited shipping rates.

Forbes

Come December of 2015 hopefully China will be celebrating a number of accomplishments in these areas.

Forbes

To recap: we face a dire situation come December 31 , 2009 how are we going to wear Happy 2010 glasses?

TechCrunch

Acme Made makes quite a lot of the bags, briefcases, and soft shells you'll be wanting come December 26.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come december" to set a clear expectation or timeline for future events, particularly when discussing plans or anticipated changes. It adds a sense of anticipation and definiteness.

Common error

Avoid using "come december" when referring to past events. The phrase is strictly for future occurrences and using it otherwise can confuse your audience. For past events, specify the time more directly, such as "in december" or "during december of that year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come december" functions as a temporal adjunct, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action or state will occur. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come december" is a common and grammatically correct temporal phrase used to indicate that something will happen by or during the month of december. Ludwig identifies its function as a temporal adjunct, creating anticipation and setting a future timeframe. Its register is typically neutral, making it suitable for diverse contexts such as news, academic writing, and business communication. To avoid confusion, ensure it is used to refer to future events and not past ones. Consider alternatives like "by december" or "in december" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this december

Specifies the current or upcoming december.

in december

Refers to events happening during the month of december.

the coming december

Emphasizes the december that is about to arrive.

by december

Indicates a deadline or a point in time before or on december.

when december arrives

Highlights the moment december begins.

approaching december

Highlights the period leading up to december.

as december nears

Focuses on the gradual approach of december.

leading into december

Describes the transition period before december.

once december is here

Indicates a condition that will be met when december starts.

with the arrival of december

Emphasizes the beginning of december and its associated changes.

FAQs

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

You can use "come december" to indicate that something will happen or be true by the time december arrives. For example, "Come december, we'll be celebrating the holidays".

What's the difference between "in december" and "come december"?

"In december" refers to events happening at any point during the month, while "come december" suggests a specific point in time or a transition that will occur when december arrives. For example, "In december, it often snows", versus "Come december, the new laws will take effect".

What are some alternatives to saying "come december"?

Alternatives include "by december", "in december", or "this december", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "come december 1st"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to specify a date, such as "come december 1st", to indicate that something will happen on that exact date. For example, "Come december 1st, the new regulations will be implemented".