come in and out

USAGE SUMMARY

'come in and out' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe movement or a change in a state of being. For example, you could say "Traffic comes in and out of the city during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People come in and out, issuing friendly greetings.

The New York Times - Food

"People come in and out, so we are trying to be as nimble as we can".

Huffington Post

It's always come in and out.

The New York Times

Things come in and out of fashion," she says.

The Guardian

Consequently, the practice has come in and out of favour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Normally, they come in and out of there".

The New York Times

There's storytelling and characters that come in and out.

The Guardian - Music

In "Aerobia," inner lives come in and out of focus.

The New York Times

"People couldn't come in and out through the lobby.

The New York Times

"I can't continue to come in and out of jail," he says.

The Economist

I blinked slowly at Lee, watching his grinning face come in and out of focus.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come in and out" to describe the movement of people, objects, or abstract concepts into and out of a defined space or state.

Common error

Avoid using "come in and out" when a more precise verb like "fluctuate" or "oscillate" would better convey the intended meaning, especially in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come in and out" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, describing movement or a state of flux. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in various contexts, such as people entering and leaving a place or trends changing over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come in and out" is a very common phrasal verb used to describe movement or fluctuation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic content. While versatile, it's important to consider more precise alternatives like "fluctuate" in formal settings. Usage examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlight its widespread acceptance and utility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come and go

Emphasizes the transient nature of something or someone.

enter and exit

Focuses on the physical act of entering and leaving a space.

go in and out

A more casual synonym, emphasizing the action of moving between inside and outside.

move in and out

Highlights the continuous nature of the movement.

ebb and flow

Implies a rhythmic or cyclical movement, often used metaphorically.

fluctuate

Focuses on the change in level or state, rather than physical movement.

wax and wane

Similar to ebb and flow, but emphasizes the increasing and decreasing aspects.

appear and disappear

Highlights the visibility or presence of something that alternates.

phase in and out

Suggests a gradual introduction and removal.

oscillate

Implies a regular back-and-forth movement or change.

FAQs

How to use "come in and out" in a sentence?

You can use "come in and out" to describe movement, like "People "come in and out" of the store all day", or to describe something that fluctuates, like "Trends "come in and out" of fashion".

What can I say instead of "come in and out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "enter and exit", "go in and out", or "fluctuate".

Is it correct to say "comes in and out"?

Yes, "comes in and out" is grammatically correct when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The tide "comes in and out" twice a day".

What's the difference between "come in and out" and "come and go"?

"Come in and out" implies a movement into and out of a specific place or state, while "come and go" suggests a more general transience or impermanence.