is come by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is come by" is not correct in standard written English.
It is an archaic expression that may be used in literary or poetic contexts to indicate that something has been obtained or acquired. Example: "The knowledge he possesses is come by through years of diligent study."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(Full disclosure: I never wore high heels or carried big, stupid, fashionable purses, so honestly the scoffing is come by pretty easily. But because 50 has a certain gravitas, I can say that to someone much younger and they believe me because I'm older).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is true even if the money has been come by honestly.

The New Yorker

We can tell a storm is coming By looking into each other's eyes.

The New York Times - Books

Soon, though, he is coming by to bring her a gift: a brand new one.

The New York Times

More help is coming by way of Lipper Inc.

Forbes

"He's come by leaps and bounds because of his desire and his ability to learn.

The New York Times - Sports

Routh said that he was coming by.

The New Yorker

Friends were coming by.

The New Yorker

Good times are coming by and by.

The New Yorker

"I'm coming by myself," she said.

The New Yorker

He wouldn't ever say he was coming by.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "is come by" in contemporary writing. Opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "has been acquired" or "is obtained" to ensure clarity and avoid sounding archaic.

Common error

Don't use phrases like "is come by" in modern English, as it can make your writing sound unnatural or stilted. Choose current expressions to communicate effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is come by" functions as a verbal phrase, attempting to describe how something is acquired or obtained. However, according to Ludwig AI, this usage is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is come by" is an archaic expression that attempts to convey acquisition. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect in contemporary standard English, and its usage is quite rare. While it might appear in older texts, modern writers should opt for clearer, more common alternatives like "has been acquired" or "is obtained" to avoid sounding unnatural. Its primary context, according to Ludwig, is in news and media, but even there, it's infrequent. Therefore, it's best to avoid using this phrase in modern writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been acquired

Emphasizes the act of obtaining something, replacing the archaic "is come by" with a modern equivalent.

is obtained

Focuses on the process of gaining something, providing a more standard grammatical structure.

is arriving

Indicates an imminent arrival, shifting the context from acquisition to presence.

is visiting

Suggests a temporary appearance, altering the sense to a brief encounter.

is dropping by

Implies a casual visit, changing the tone to be more informal.

is stopping by

Similar to "is dropping by", suggesting a brief and often unplanned visit.

will be visiting

Expresses a future intent to visit, altering the tense and focus.

will be arriving

Expresses a future arrival, focusing on a planned event.

is attainable

Focuses on the possibility of achieving something, shifting the context to potential.

can be achieved

Highlights the potential for accomplishment, moving the focus away from a direct arrival or acquisition.

FAQs

What does "is come by" mean?

The phrase "is come by" is an archaic expression meaning something has been acquired or obtained. It's rarely used in modern English.

How can I use "has been acquired" instead of "is come by"?

Instead of saying "The knowledge is come by through study", you would say "The knowledge "has been acquired" through study".

Is "is come by" grammatically correct?

No, "is come by" is not grammatically correct in modern standard English. The correct alternatives are "has been acquired" or "is obtained".

What's a more common way to express that something has been obtained?

You can use phrases like ""has been acquired"", "is obtained", or simply "was obtained depending on the context".