come here for a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come here for a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want someone to approach you briefly, often to discuss something quickly or to get their attention. Example: "Hey, can you come here for a second? I need to show you something important."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I meet people all the time who come here for a second home or retirement from New Jersey".

The New York Times

"Usually, when people come here for a second or third time, they bring work gloves," Mr. Patterson said.

The New York Times - Travel

Come here for a second.

Huffington Post

Can you please come here for a second?

Huffington Post

Lukas?" she whimpered, "Could you come here for a second so I could ask you one question?" Lukas sighed and walked over.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"When we can get so many girls to come here for a first-year program, that's 20 to 25 extra students who normally wouldn't have looked at Jamestown College," said Cisco Cole, the women's wrestling coach there.

The New York Times - Sports

We came here for a ninth win and didn't get," St. Francis Coach Jim Bonds said.

Los Angeles Times

Certain people had a very good year, and they had a party in Simply Heathcote's restaurant and came here for a few drinks first.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's a lot of fun to come here for the first time," he said after the morning skate.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's very special to be among this group of cutting-edge specialists, right in the middle of nature," says Yakovchenko, who first came here for a summer school last year and has since founded Optiplane, a startup company focused on developing drones for cargo deliveries.

The Guardian - Arts

Many of us have come here for the first time, fully consciously and entirely independently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure your tone matches the situation. While generally casual, the urgency in your voice can influence how the request is perceived.

Common error

Avoid using "come here for a second" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more polite alternatives like "Could you step over here briefly?" or "May I have a quick word with you?" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come here for a second" functions primarily as an imperative, issuing a direct and immediate request. It is used to ask someone to approach the speaker for a brief interaction, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

20%

Vice

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come here for a second" is a grammatically correct imperative phrase used to request someone's brief attention. Though functional across contexts, it suits informal settings best. Ludwig AI validates its usability but advises caution in formal environments where alternatives such as "Could you step over here briefly?" are more appropriate. The phrase's register is best characterized as neutral, and while it is not used frequently, it appears most often in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could you step over here briefly?

Emphasizes a temporary movement to the speaker's location.

Can you come over here a moment?

Similar in intent but uses "moment" instead of "second".

Please approach for a quick word

More formal and emphasizes the brevity of the interaction.

Can I have a quick word with you?

Shifts the focus to the speaker's need for a brief conversation.

May I speak with you briefly?

A more polite and formal request for a short conversation.

Lend me your ear for a second

Idiomatic expression implying a short request for attention.

Got a minute to come over?

Casual and informal way to ask someone to come closer.

Step over here for a sec

A shortened and more casual version of the original phrase.

I need to talk to you quickly

Highlights the urgency and brevity of the intended conversation.

A word, if you please

A somewhat old-fashioned way of requesting a brief conversation.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to approach me briefly?

You can use phrases like "Could you "step over here briefly"?", "May I have a "quick word with you"?", or "Excuse me, can you come here for a moment?".

What are some informal alternatives to "come here for a second"?

Some informal alternatives include "Come over here a moment", "step over here for a sec", or simply "Hey, can you come here?".

Is "come here for a second" grammatically correct?

Yes, "come here for a second" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability.

When is it inappropriate to use "come here for a second"?

It is generally inappropriate in highly formal settings, such as addressing superiors at work or speaking in a professional presentation. More formal phrases should be used in these contexts.