come to have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come to have" is not a correct and usable phrase in English; it does not make grammatical sense.
If you are trying to express that someone obtained something, you could use the phrase "come to possess," such as "She came to possess a car."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They come to have a spiritual experience.

Independent

I haven't come to have a go".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yet, how do we come to have these ideas?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How'd you come to have an arsenal of instruments?

The New York Times - Arts

Ahmet has come to have an interest in whatever works.

The New Yorker

I'm fascinated by how we come to have new ideas.

The Guardian - Books

Over the last decade, young adult women in Britain have come to have greater weekly mobility than their male counterparts.

Journal of Transport Geography

This issue would come to have a profound impact within the world of systematics.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And how do they come to have those duties and permissions?

Harvard University

We offer a single place where you can come to have all your arrhythmia needs met.

Stanford University

Come to have a try! Shen Bao and Guangming Ribao are on trial NOW!

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "come to have" is frequently used, consider more grammatically correct alternatives like "come to possess" or rephrase your sentence for clarity. This improves the overall quality and credibility of your writing.

Common error

Relying on "come to have" can make your writing sound awkward or less professional. Replace it with stronger verbs or rephrase to achieve clarity and correctness. For instance, instead of "They came to have an understanding", try "They developed an understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to have" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a process of acquiring or developing something over time. Although frequently used, Ludwig AI notes that it is not a correct phrase. Examples in Ludwig show usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come to have" is frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, suggesting that alternatives like "come to possess" or rephrasing the sentence can enhance clarity and correctness. While its communicative purpose is to describe the gradual acquisition of something, relying on this phrase may reduce the quality and formality of your writing. Alternatives such as "begin to have", "gradually acquire", and "start to develop" can offer more grammatically sound and precise options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come to possess

Replaces "have" with "possess", offering a more formal and grammatically sound alternative for indicating ownership or attainment.

begin to have

Substitutes "come" with "begin", emphasizing the start of an experience or state.

start to develop

Focuses on the gradual process of acquiring something, particularly skills or qualities.

gradually acquire

Highlights the step-by-step nature of obtaining something over time.

eventually gain

Emphasizes the final achievement of obtaining something after a period.

grow to have

Indicates a slow and organic process of developing an attribute or feeling.

find oneself with

Suggests a situation where someone discovers they possess something, sometimes unexpectedly.

end up possessing

Similar to "find oneself with", but emphasizes the element of chance or unforeseen circumstances.

learn to have

Focuses on acquiring a skill or understanding through learning or experience.

get to experience

Highlights the opportunity to undergo a specific experience.

FAQs

Is "come to have" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "come to have" is often considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI suggests that using alternatives like "come to possess" can enhance grammatical correctness and clarity.

What are some alternatives to "come to have" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can substitute "come to have" with phrases such as "begin to have", "start to develop", or "gradually acquire".

How can I improve the clarity of sentences that use "come to have"?

Rephrasing the sentence can often improve clarity. For example, instead of "They come to have a better understanding", you could write "They develop a better understanding" or "They achieve a better understanding".

What is the difference between "come to have" and "come to possess"?

While both phrases suggest gaining something, "come to possess" is generally considered more grammatically correct and formal than "come to have". "Possess" implies ownership or control, making it a stronger and more precise verb in many contexts.