coming about

USAGE SUMMARY

"coming about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a verb phrase to describe something that is happening or changing gradually or unexpectedly. Example: The company's financial troubles were coming about due to mismanagement and poor decision-making. Other possible uses of "coming about" in a sentence could include: - The ship's course needed to be adjusted to avoid coming about too close to the rocky shore. - The political climate in the country was slowly coming about, with more and more citizens demanding change. - It was clear that a shift in attitudes was coming about, as younger generations began to prioritize environmental issues. - The town's transformation was coming about as new businesses and investments brought in more job opportunities. - Despite our efforts, the weather was not coming about and we were forced to cancel the outdoor event.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Coming about, hard alee.

The New Yorker

The skeptics, she said, "are finally coming about".

The New York Times

"That's not because of my ability, but maybe misdemeanours in the past have put a halt to that coming about".

Independent

The early catamarans tended to have difficulty coming about when sailing to windward, but later designs overcame this.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's an evolving model that is coming about because of the capital issue".

The New York Times

"I knew that this would be coming about, and I'm happy to be a part of it," he said.

The New York Times

It is hard to see fundamental change to the theocratic state coming about in any way save through incremental reforms, a gradual corroding of the system.

The Economist

I had earwigged at adults' conversations and I knew this was a great change that was coming about and that most people could hardly believe this was happening".

The Guardian

The most recent wave of thug-style dressing "is coming about in a weird way," said Duane Pyous, associate photo editor of Vibe.

The New York Times - Style

But I also thought, maybe this community that's coming about in Salemi could be the right place after all to understand this, this amazing collection".

The New York Times

Still, Enja made enough money off it that, two years later, the label paid the full cost of producing her second album, "Coming About".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coming about" to describe gradual or unexpected developments. It adds a sense of evolution or emergence that simpler words like "happening" might miss. For example, "The change in policy was coming about due to public pressure."

Common error

Avoid using "coming about" when a more direct verb like "happening" or "occurring" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Choose the simplest word that accurately conveys your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming about" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used in the present continuous tense to describe an ongoing process or gradual development. As Ludwig shows, it is commonly used to indicate how something is happening or emerging.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coming about" is a verb phrase used to describe the gradual development or emergence of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and fairly common in various contexts. It frequently appears in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources, with a slightly more formal tone. When using "coming about", consider whether a simpler verb like "happening" or "occurring" might be more appropriate, avoiding unnecessary wordiness. Alternatives such as "happening", "occurring", and "developing" can often be used interchangeably depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developing

Emphasizes the process of growth or evolution, similar to the gradual aspect of "coming about".

evolving

Focuses on a gradual transformation or change over time.

happening

Refers to something currently taking place, lacking the sense of gradual development.

occurring

Similar to happening, but often implies a more formal or specific instance.

emerging

Indicates something is becoming visible or known, highlighting the appearance of something new.

unfolding

Suggests a gradual revelation or development of events.

taking place

Indicates an event or action that is currently happening.

arising

Suggests something is emerging or starting to exist.

materializing

Implies that something abstract is becoming real or concrete.

transpiring

A more formal way of saying happening or occurring, often used for significant events.

FAQs

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

Use "coming about" to describe a situation or event that is gradually developing or occurring, often unexpectedly. For example, "The company's success was "coming about" due to innovative marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "coming about"?

You can use alternatives such as "happening", "occurring", "arising", or "developing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "coming about" than "happening"?

Yes, "coming about" generally has a slightly more formal tone than "happening". While "happening" is a straightforward term for something taking place, "coming about" suggests a process of development or emergence. Therefore, "coming about" is more suitable in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports.

Which is correct: "the change coming about" or "the change is coming about"?

Both can be correct depending on the context. "The change coming about" can function as a noun phrase modifying another noun (e.g., "The change coming about surprised everyone"). "The change is coming about" is a full clause with a subject and verb, indicating an ongoing process.