comes about

USAGE SUMMARY

"comes about" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means "to happen" or "to occur", and can be used in various contexts. Example: The success of our team's project came about through hard work and dedication. In this sentence, "comes about" is used to describe how the success of the project happened or occurred as a result of hard work and dedication. Other possible ways to use this phrase include: - The changing of the seasons comes about due to the Earth's tilt. - The decision to move to a new city came about after much thought and discussion. - The accident came about because of reckless driving. Overall, "comes about" is a versatile phrase that can be used to describe the cause or occurrence of something in a clear and concise manner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How does it comes about?

Harvard University

I'm in My Twenties" comes about.

The New Yorker

Tolerance comes about through knowledge".

The New York Times

Of course, the desire to write comes about easily.

The New York Times

"But not for him, this never comes about".

The New York Times

But how soon it comes about is another question.

The New York Times - Sports

A recovery comes about for a variety of reasons.

The New York Times

This comes about due to improved selection of machining parameters, optimal fixture design and the avoidance of tool failure.

Journal of the Franklin Institute

I discuss how this confusion comes about and hint at a future discussion of analyses designed to show equivalence.

The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

It is about a friendship that comes about as a result of that.

Independent

So whatever comes about, we'll look at the team and see if that fits for us".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes about" to describe how a result or situation emerges, especially when cause and effect aren't immediately obvious. For example, "The solution came about through collaborative brainstorming."

Common error

While "comes about" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less sophisticated. In formal contexts, consider stronger, more precise verbs like "results from", "originates in", or "is caused by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes about" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the occurrence or happening of an event or situation. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and commonly used phrase, signifying 'to happen' or 'to occur'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "comes about" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies the occurrence or happening of an event. It's grammatically sound and finds application across a broad spectrum of contexts, including news, science, and academia, as confirmed by Ludwig. The phrase serves to clarify the process or origin of an event, offering insights into why or how something happened. While it holds a generally neutral tone suitable for diverse communication, more formal alternatives might be favored in strictly academic or scientific contexts. Ludwig AI also highlights that it is versatile and can be used to describe the cause or occurrence of something in a clear and concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happens

Replaces the phrasal verb with a single, direct verb.

occurs

Similar to "happens" but often used in more formal or technical contexts.

takes place

Indicates a planned or scheduled event.

arises

Suggests something emerges or originates from a particular source.

develops

Implies a gradual unfolding or evolution.

is brought about

This alternative emphasizes the cause or agent that makes something happen, adding a layer of intentionality or causation that the original doesn't explicitly convey.

materializes

Suggests something becomes real or concrete.

transpires

A more formal and literary alternative to "happens".

unfolds

Suggests a gradual revelation or progression.

emanates

Indicates something originates from a source, often with a sense of spreading.

FAQs

How can I use "comes about" in a sentence?

Use "comes about" to describe how something happens or originates. For example, "The opportunity "came about" unexpectedly" or "Change "comes about" through consistent effort".

What's a more formal alternative to "comes about"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "arises", "occurs", or "is brought about" instead of "comes about". For example, "The issue "arose" due to a misunderstanding".

Is "comes about" the same as "happens"?

While similar, "comes about" often implies a process or cause leading to the event. "Happens" is a more general term for something taking place. Therefore, saying "the problem "happened"" is simpler and more direct, while "the solution "came about" after careful consideration" suggests a deliberate process.

What prepositions usually follow "comes about"?

The phrase "comes about" doesn't typically take a preposition directly after it. It's usually followed by an adverb or a clause explaining how or why something happened. For example, "The agreement "came about" because of negotiations".