come up

USAGE SUMMARY

"come up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrasal verb meaning to happen, emerge or appear. For example: A new idea suddenly came up during the meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Come up".

The New Yorker

Come up, come up.

The New Yorker

But things come up.

The New York Times - Arts

What issues come up?

The New York Times

Didn't come up.

The New York Times

It didn't come up.

The New York Times

"Anything can come up".

The New York Times

Because they come up.

The New Yorker

"I'm serious, come up.

The New Yorker

They come up.

The New Yorker

The lights come up.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "arise", "emerge", or "occur" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "come up". For example, instead of saying "The issue came up of nowhere", say "The issue came up out of nowhere" or "The issue came up unexpectedly".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "come up" functions as an intransitive verb, indicating an event that happens or a topic that arises. It also can function as a verb of movement, showing someone is approaching. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "come up" is a versatile and frequently used expression in English, meaning to approach, arise, or emerge. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples confirms its wide applicability, particularly in news, media, and general writing. While generally neutral in tone, careful attention should be paid to preposition usage and context to ensure clarity. Consider using synonyms like "arise", "emerge", or "occur" for stylistic variation and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arise

This alternative conveys a similar meaning of something emerging or occurring, but is generally more formal.

emerge

Similar to "arise", this term suggests the process of something becoming visible or known.

occur

This word emphasizes the happening or taking place of an event or situation.

surface

This alternative indicates something becoming apparent or revealed after being hidden or unknown.

materialize

This implies that something becomes real or actual, often unexpectedly.

present itself

This phrase suggests that an opportunity or problem appears and requires attention.

arise unexpectedly

This highlights the unforeseen nature of something happening.

make an appearance

This is a less formal alternative for showing up or becoming present.

be brought up

Refers specifically to introducing a topic or subject in a conversation or discussion.

be raised

Similar to "be brought up", but can also refer to the act of elevating or increasing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "come up" in various contexts. For example, "An interesting point came up during the meeting", or "He came up to me and introduced himself".

What can I say instead of "come up"?

Alternatives include "arise", "emerge", or "occur", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "come up" or "came up"?

"Come up" is the base form, while "came up" is the past tense. Use "came up" when referring to something that happened in the past. For example: "The idea came up yesterday".

What's the difference between "come up with" and "come up"?

"Come up with" means to create or invent something (e.g., "come up with a plan"), while "come up" (without "with") often means to approach, arise, or emerge (e.g., "a problem came up").