come time

USAGE SUMMARY

"come time" is an accepted phrase in written English.
It means when the appointed time arrives. For example: We plan to start the project come time we have the necessary funding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"They've always been very loyal, they come time and again.

The Guardian - Travel

"It had come time to tell fewer jokes," he says.

The Guardian - Books

It has come time to put this blog to sleep for a while.

The New Yorker

When it does come time, though, they are often ushered out kicking and screaming.

The New York Times - Sports

With the risk of disease only increasing, and more bad weather to come, time is of the essence.

Independent

It may finally have come time, then, for McKellen to cut his ties and invest in other projects.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It just came time.

The New York Times - Sports

It came time".

The New York Times

Except when it comes time to applaud.

The New York Times - Arts

Now comes time for Spring Break.

Huffington Post

When my time comes, my time comes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come time" to create a sense of anticipation or inevitability about an event or action. For example: "Come time for the presentation, make sure all the slides are loaded."

Common error

While "come time" is widely accepted, it might sound less formal than alternatives like "when the time comes" or "at the appointed time." Consider your audience and the context before using it in highly formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the time when an action will occur. It sets a temporal condition, similar to "when the time arrives". According to Ludwig AI, this is an accepted phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that acts as an adverbial phrase, indicating when a certain event will occur. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptance in written English. While versatile, it is slightly less formal than alternatives like "when the time comes". It frequently appears in News & Media and Wiki sources. When writing, use "come time" to set expectations or make plans contingent on a future event. It's most appropriate for informal to neutral contexts, while formal writing might benefit from more sophisticated phrasing. Its widespread use and clear meaning make it a reliable phrase for expressing temporal relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when the time comes

More formal and explicit, emphasizing the arrival of a specific moment.

when the moment arrives

Focuses on the significance of the moment.

at the right moment

Stresses the importance of opportune timing.

at the appointed time

Highlights a pre-arranged or scheduled moment.

in due course

Implies that something will happen eventually at the appropriate time.

upon the arrival of the time

A more formal and somewhat redundant way of saying "when the time comes".

when the occasion arises

Emphasizes a specific opportunity or event.

at the proper juncture

Highlights the suitability of the timing.

at the designated hour

Implies a specific, scheduled time.

when the clock strikes

More figurative, suggesting a decisive moment.

FAQs

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

You can use "come time" to indicate when a specific event or action is anticipated to occur. For example, "Come time for the holidays, we always visit our family."

What does "come time" mean?

"Come time" means when the specified time arrives or when a particular event occurs. It's used to denote a future point at which something is expected to happen.

Which is more formal, "come time" or "when the time comes"?

"When the time comes" generally sounds more formal than "come time". "Come time" is more colloquial and suitable for informal contexts.

Are there any synonyms for "come time"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "when the time arrives", "when the moment comes", or "in due course" depending on the nuance you want to convey.