comes with strings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comes with strings" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to conditions or limitations attached to an offer or agreement. An example is: "The job offer sounds great, but it comes with strings that I need to consider." Alternative expressions include "has conditions," "comes with caveats," and "includes stipulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything comes with strings.

The New York Times

But the money comes with strings.

The Economist

Philanthropy often comes with strings attached.

Stanford University

Critically, this offer comes with strings attached.

The Guardian - Business

But income support comes with strings attached.

The Guardian - Opinion

France's backing for a ban comes with strings attached.

The New York Times

Yet often the money comes with strings attached.

The Economist

Critics worry that such largess comes with strings attached.

The New York Times

Of course, land that cheap comes with strings attached.

The New York Times

Unlike most prizes the award comes with strings.

The New York Times

Sometimes gaining access, to a place, or to people, comes with strings attached.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In very formal or legal contexts, prefer the full expression 'comes with strings attached' or more precise terms like 'subject to conditions' for clarity.

Common error

Do not use this phrase in contexts involving physical strings or musical instruments unless you intend to make a pun. Ensure the context clearly refers to obligations or requirements to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""comes with strings"" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase where the verb 'comes' is modified by a prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig, it serves to qualify a noun (usually a benefit, offer, or fund) by indicating that it is not simple or free from obligations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase ""comes with strings"" is a versatile and highly effective idiom for describing conditional offers in professional English. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across elite media outlets like The New York Times and The Economist, where it typically describes financial aid, corporate investments or political agreements. While you can use alternatives like "has strings attached" for a more complete sound, the shortened version is perfectly acceptable. It effectively communicates that a benefit is not purely altruistic and carries specific, sometimes burdensome, requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has strings attached

Uses the more complete and slightly more formal version of the idiom.

comes with caveats

Uses a more formal term for warnings or specific conditions.

includes stipulations

Employs legalistic language appropriate for contracts or formal agreements.

carries requirements

Focuses on the obligations rather than the metaphorical strings.

is subject to conditions

A very common formal and business phrasing used in legal disclosures.

has fine print

An informal idiom specifically referring to hidden or small-text conditions.

is conditional

Uses a direct adjective to describe the nature of the offer.

comes with provisions

Common in legislative or highly formal document contexts.

implies obligations

Suggests that the conditions might be understood rather than explicitly stated.

is not a free lunch

Uses a different idiom to convey that there is always a cost involved.

FAQs

How to use "comes with strings" in a sentence?

You can use it when describing an offer, as in: "The grant sounds generous, but it often "comes with strings" that limit how the money is spent."

What can I say instead of "comes with strings"?

Depending on the tone, you might use "has strings attached", "comes with caveats" or "is subject to conditions".

Is it "comes with strings" or "comes with strings attached"?

Both are correct and widely used. While "comes with strings attached" is the complete idiom, the shortened version is common in modern journalism.

What is the difference between "comes with strings" and "conditional"?

The phrase ""comes with strings"" is more idiomatic and often implies a sense of wariness or hidden costs, whereas "conditional" is a neutral, factual adjective.