coming in and out

USAGE SUMMARY

"coming in and out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe repetitive actions or movement. For example, "The birds were coming in and out of the window sill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A few worshipers had begun coming in and out, as they often do on weekday mornings.

The New York Times

"Cars were still coming in and out".

The New York Times

There were also people coming in and out.

The New York Times

"It's built for audiences coming in and out.

The New York Times

Staff coming in and out of pub next door.

The New Yorker

Characters are always coming in and out of doors.

The Guardian

Sept. 11 kept coming in and out of my head.

The New York Times - Sports

Coming in and out of breaks, I feel like myself.

The New York Times - Sports

"Sunday morning I see the cruise ships coming in and out.

The New York Times

"It's always been so open, people coming in and out," Putt said.

The New York Times - Sports

Finally, air starts coming in and out of her nose, fogging the oxygen mask.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coming in and out" to describe situations with frequent movement across a boundary. For instance, "Customers were constantly coming in and out of the store."

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates what is "coming in and out". Avoid vague sentences like "Things were coming in and out" without specifying the subject. Clarify by stating, "Ideas were coming in and out of the discussion."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming in and out" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun describing the action of repeatedly entering and exiting. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coming in and out" is a versatile gerund phrase used to describe repetitive movement or fluctuation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, though its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject of the movement is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "entering and exiting" or "fluctuating" for different shades of meaning. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "coming in and out" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entering and exiting

Replaces "coming" and "out" with synonyms, maintaining the core meaning of movement in both directions.

repeatedly entering and leaving

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the action.

fluctuating

Focuses on the alternating nature of "coming in and out", highlighting the change in state.

moving back and forth

Highlights the to-and-fro movement, a key element of the original phrase.

going in and returning

Uses more explicit verbs to describe the movement.

alternating entry and exit

Formalizes the phrase, making it suitable for more technical contexts.

oscillating

Focuses on the periodic movement, implying a rhythmic change.

arriving and departing

Focuses on the start and end points of the movement.

inflow and outflow

Highlights the movement of substances or resources.

accessing and departing

Emphasizes the permission or ability to enter and leave.

FAQs

How can I use "coming in and out" in a sentence?

You can use "coming in and out" to describe movement between two locations, such as "People were "coming in and out" of the building all day."

What does "coming in and out of consciousness" mean?

"Coming in and out of consciousness" describes a state where someone is intermittently conscious and unconscious. For example, "After the accident, he was "coming in and out" of consciousness."

Are there more formal alternatives to "coming in and out"?

While "coming in and out" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include "entering and exiting" or "alternating entry and exit", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "comes in and out"?

The phrase "comes in and out" is grammatically correct when used with a singular subject in the third person. For example, "The tide comes in and out twice a day." The phrase ""coming in and out"" functions as a gerund phrase.