comes useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comes useful" is not standard in written English; the correct expression is "comes in useful." You can use it when referring to something that proves to be helpful or beneficial in a particular situation.
Example: "This tool really comes in useful when I need to fix things around the house."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The insta-kill generally comes useful to kill a difficult enemy.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It comes very useful because you don't use any weapons.

WikiHow

We hope it comes in useful.

The Guardian - Music

That comes in useful for making gravies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sometimes a history degree comes in useful.

The Guardian - Opinion

He also says his bossiness comes in useful.

The Guardian - Music

But of course her martial-arts training comes in useful.

The Guardian - Film

It probably comes in useful during meetings with the Home Office.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is where a little physics comes in useful.

MIT Technology Review

Christoff speaks fluent French and Spanish, which often comes in useful.

The Guardian - Money

"That's where being Hindu comes in useful," she says of the last one.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct idiomatic expression: "comes in useful". This phrasing ensures clarity and adheres to standard English grammar.

Common error

Don't omit the preposition "in" when intending to say something is helpful. Using "comes useful" directly is grammatically incorrect. Always use "comes in useful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes useful" is intended to function as a verb phrase, suggesting that something is helpful or beneficial. However, it is grammatically incomplete. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct idiomatic form is "comes in useful".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comes useful" is an attempt to express that something is helpful or beneficial. However, as Ludwig AI emphasizes, this phrasing is grammatically incorrect. The correct idiomatic expression is "comes in useful". While sources like The Guardian and The New York Times demonstrate the phrase's appearance, it's crucial to use the grammatically correct version to ensure clarity and professionalism in writing. Remember to include the preposition "in" to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proves beneficial

Emphasizes the positive outcome or advantage derived from something.

turns out to be helpful

Highlights the element of surprise or unexpected usefulness.

is of assistance

A more formal way of saying something is helpful.

is advantageous

Focuses on the favorable or beneficial aspect.

becomes valuable

Indicates an increase in worth or importance over time.

is convenient

Stresses the ease and practicality of use.

serves a purpose

Highlights the functional aspect and utility.

is effective

Emphasizes the success or desired result achieved.

is fruitful

Implies that something produces positive results or benefits.

is operative

Focuses on being in force or having effect. Usually refers to a law or agreement.

FAQs

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

Use "comes in useful" to describe something that proves to be helpful or beneficial. For example, "This tool really comes in useful when I need to fix things around the house".

What can I say instead of "comes in useful"?

You can use alternatives like "is helpful", "is beneficial", or "proves useful" depending on the context. Remember, the original query, "comes useful", is grammatically incorrect.

Which is correct, "comes useful" or "comes in useful"?

The correct phrase is "comes in useful". "Comes useful" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing.

What's the difference between "comes useful" and "becomes useful"?

"Becomes useful" implies a change over time, something that gains utility. "Comes in useful" simply indicates that something is helpful in a particular situation. Note that the phrase "comes useful" by itself is grammatically incorrect.