comes handy

USAGE SUMMARY

"comes handy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when something is useful or helpful. For example, "Having a first aid kit comes handy during camping trips."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He or she needs to be able to sort through a menagerie of data to find which things are important and for this past experience often comes handy.

Multilayer Flexible Packaging

The technique also comes handy when setting up the boundary condition for the overall pressure drop in the CFD modeling that can simulate incremental pressures along the riser height.

Powder Technology

One can also keep track of his or her PeerIndex and that of one's community members which comes handy for further analysis.

TechCrunch

The X70 also comes with an electronic viewfinder, which comes handy when shooting against intense backlight or when the photographer needs firmer grip of the camera.

TechCrunch

In case multimode RNs are used, the distributed S1 comes handy when the available resources in one network are not enough for the backhaul link and some of the connections have to be transferred to another network (i.e., the RN will have active connections with several eNBs via different network interfaces).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Slowing down time and Ravages of time comes handy in beating the Dahaka too.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Thus, the portable engineered equipment can come handy in many real-world applications, such as neurology.

Integration

Here is where computational models come handy.

Plosone

That's where R&R sessions come handy.

WikiHow

If not now, they will come handy some time later.

WikiHow

This is where your paper and pen come handy.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes handy" when you want to emphasize the unexpected or opportune usefulness of something.

Common error

Avoid using "comes handy" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more professional alternatives like "proves useful" or "is advantageous".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes handy" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that something is useful or beneficial in a particular situation. Ludwig examples show it describing tools, skills, or resources that provide assistance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

37.5%

News & Media

37.5%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comes handy" is a correct and usable expression in English, signifying that something is useful or beneficial. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in Wiki, News & Media, and Science contexts, with usage ranging from neutral to informal. For more formal writing, it's advisable to consider alternatives such as "proves useful" or "is advantageous". While grammatical, its frequency is uncommon, so select this term when you want to add an informal tone to your writing. The contexts in Ludwig show its use across varied domains, reinforcing its broad applicability despite register considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a great help

Directly states the degree of assistance offered.

is particularly useful

Adds emphasis to the degree of utility.

proves useful

Changes the verb and adjective, emphasizing the act of demonstrating utility.

turns out to be helpful

Highlights the unexpected benefit or assistance provided.

is advantageous

Replaces the idiom with a more formal adjective.

is of benefit

Emphasizes the positive impact or gain derived.

offers an advantage

Focuses on providing a beneficial position or opportunity.

serves a purpose

Emphasizes the function or reason for something's existence.

provides a shortcut

Suggests a quicker or easier way to achieve a goal.

is a boon

Replaces the phrase with a more literary term for a benefit.

FAQs

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

You can use "comes handy" to indicate that something is useful or helpful in a particular situation. For example, "A first aid kit "comes handy" during camping trips".

What's a more formal way to say "comes handy"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "proves useful", "is advantageous", or "is of benefit" instead of "comes handy".

Is "comes handy" appropriate for professional writing?

While "comes handy" is widely understood, it leans towards informal usage. In professional writing, choosing a more formal alternative like "proves useful" can enhance the tone.

What can I say instead of "comes handy"?

You can use alternatives like "proves useful", "turns out to be helpful", or "is particularly useful" depending on the context.