come into play

USAGE SUMMARY

"come into play" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase when referring to the point at which a particular factor begins to have an effect or become important. For example, "When the economy started to slow down, money and resources had to be carefully managed, and this is when debt management strategies came into play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Logistics also come into play.

The New York Times - Science

"It might come into play".

Independent

Other participants come into play.

The Economist

Attention and money all come into play.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now, surely, the heavyweights come into play.

Independent

But politics still come into play.

The New York Times

Varying state regulations also come into play.

The New York Times

Here's where elephants come into play.

The New York Times

Personal likes and dislikes come into play.

Independent

"So many more factors come into play".

The New York Times - Sports

"Body characteristics" (biometrics) also come into play.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come into play" when you want to emphasize the point at which something starts to have an influence or effect, particularly after a period of being irrelevant or dormant.

Common error

Avoid using "come into play" when referring to factors that are already active or relevant from the beginning of a situation. The phrase suggests a change or a new development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come into play" functions as a verb phrase indicating the moment when a particular factor or consideration begins to have an effect or become relevant in a situation. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come into play" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe when a particular factor begins to have an effect or become relevant. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news, science, and formal business contexts. It signals a shift in relevance, indicating that something previously unimportant is now significant. While "become relevant" or "take effect" can serve as alternatives, "come into play" is a clear and effective way to highlight a change in influence. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize this transition and avoid using it for factors already in action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become relevant

This alternative focuses on the pertinence of something at a specific point.

take effect

This alternative emphasizes the commencement of an action or influence.

start to matter

This alternative highlights the increasing importance of something.

become significant

This alternative stresses the growing importance or impact.

enter the picture

This alternative suggests the introduction of something new into a situation.

be a factor

This option emphasizes the contribution of something to an outcome.

start to apply

This alternative focuses on the implementation or relevance of a rule or principle.

begin to operate

This emphasizes the start of something functioning or having an effect.

arise

This is a more succinct way to state that a situation or issue is commencing.

supervene

This formal term indicates something occurring subsequently, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

How can I use "come into play" in a sentence?

Use "come into play" to indicate when a factor starts to have an influence or effect. For example, "Several factors "come into play" when deciding on a college major".

What can I say instead of "come into play"?

You can use alternatives like "become relevant", "take effect", or "start to matter" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "come into play" or "comes into play"?

"Come into play" is used with plural subjects or in the infinitive form. "Comes into play" is used with singular, third-person subjects (e.g., "the issue comes into play").

What's the difference between "come into play" and "be a factor"?

"Come into play" suggests a beginning of influence, while "be a factor" indicates a continuous contribution. "Come into play" implies that something wasn't relevant before but now is.