comes to

USAGE SUMMARY

"comes to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something being brought up or discussed in a conversation or situation. For example, "When it comes to the future of the company, I am very optimistic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It comes to nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

(Tintin comes to mind).

The New York Times - Arts

What comes to mind?

The New York Times

Lucy comes to listen.

The New Yorker

Busy comes to mind.

The New York Times

Harish comes to visit.

The New Yorker

Macy's comes to mind.

The New York Times

He comes to life!

The New Yorker

Which comes to nothing.

The New York Times

Death Comes to Pemberley.

The Economist

Polly comes to visit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes to" when you want to introduce a topic, idea, or conclusion that arises from a discussion or situation. For instance, "When it comes to project management, planning is crucial."

Common error

Avoid incorrect past tense forms. "Come to" in the past tense should be "came to". For example, "He came to realize the importance of hard work" is correct, not "He comes to realize the importance of hard work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes to" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used as a transitional phrase to introduce a particular subject, idea, or consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed. Examples show it introducing topics or results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comes to" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase that serves as a transitional tool to introduce new topics or draw conclusions. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's correct for written English and predominantly found in News & Media. While adaptable to different contexts, it's crucial to avoid incorrect past tense forms and ensure agreement with the subject. Alternatives like "amounts to" or "arrives at" can be considered for nuanced expressions, making "comes to" a valuable addition to your communication toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boils down to

Implies reducing a complex situation to its most essential elements.

amounts to

Focuses on the final result or total, emphasizing calculation or summation.

reaches

Focuses on achieving a certain point or level.

arrives at

Emphasizes the reaching of a conclusion, decision, or destination after a process.

materializes into

Suggests a transformation into something concrete or real.

results in

Highlights the consequence or outcome of an action or situation.

happens to

Indicates an event or occurrence affecting someone or something.

pertains to

Indicates relevance or connection to a specific subject matter.

concerns

Focuses on what a situation or statement is about or affects.

involves

Highlights the elements or aspects included within something.

FAQs

How do I use "comes to" in a sentence?

"Comes to" is typically used to introduce a topic or a conclusion. For example, "When it comes to saving money, budgeting is essential."

What can I say instead of "comes to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "amounts to", "arrives at", or "pertains to".

Is it correct to say "when it comes to" or "when it come to"?

The correct phrase is "when it comes to". The singular verb "comes" agrees with the singular pronoun "it".

What's the difference between "comes to" and "came to"?

"Comes to" is present tense, used for general statements or habitual actions. "Came to" is past tense, indicating something that happened in the past, such as "He came to a decision after much deliberation."