he came down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he came down" is an acceptable and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone physically descending, as in, "He came down the stairs to greet the guests," or to describe a gradual decline in something, as in, "The stock market came down after the big announcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He came down.

The New York Times

Interesting!" He came down beaming.

The New Yorker

He came down like a landslide.

The New York Times - Sports

And indeed, he came down with malaria.

The New York Times

"He flew up and he came down.

The New York Times

He came down a few days later.

The New Yorker

He came down at once.

The New Yorker

Once, he came down on a Sunday afternoon.

The New Yorker

When he came down, the police arrested him for trespassing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He comes down.

The New York Times

How does he come down?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he came down" to describe a physical movement, ensure the context clearly indicates the starting point (e.g., "He came down the stairs" is more informative than just "He came down").

Common error

Avoid using "he came down" in formal writing when a more precise term like "he descended", "he declined", or "he weakened" would better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he came down" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a physical descent or a transition to a lower state. Ludwig examples show instances of physical movement (e.g., "He came down the stairs") and the onset of illness (e.g., "He came down with malaria").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he came down" is a versatile expression used to describe physical descent, arrival at a lower level, or the onset of illness. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Academia", it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. While direct, it's essential to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Consider using more specific alternatives, such as "he descended" or "he went downstairs", for enhanced clarity in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he descended

Simple replacement with a synonym that emphasizes the act of moving downwards.

he went downstairs

Specifies a direction of downward movement, typically within a building.

he arrived below

Focuses on reaching a lower point or level.

he fell

Highlights a rapid or uncontrolled downward movement.

he dropped by

Indicates a casual or unplanned visit, often implying movement to a lower location.

he succumbed

Metaphorical descent, suggesting yielding to pressure or illness.

he weakened

Signifies a decrease in strength or condition.

he folded

Implies a collapse or giving in, often used in metaphorical contexts.

he conceded defeat

Highlights the act of giving up or yielding after a struggle.

he crumbled

Suggests a breakdown or disintegration, both physically and metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "he came down" in a sentence?

You can use "he came down" to describe someone physically descending from a higher place (e.g., "He came down the mountain") or to indicate a decline in status or health (e.g., "He came down with a cold").

What are some alternatives to "he came down"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he descended", "he went downstairs", or "he succumbed".

Is it correct to say "he came down with" an illness?

Yes, the phrase "he came down with" is a common and acceptable way to say that someone became ill with something. For example: "He came down with the flu".

What is the difference between "he came down" and "he went down"?

"He came down" often implies a movement from a higher to a lower position relative to the speaker or a known reference point. "He went down" is more general and simply indicates downward movement without a specific reference point. However, in many contexts, they are interchangeable.