that came about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that came about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe how something occurred or was created, often in a narrative or explanatory context. Example: "The new policy that came about after the meeting was well-received by the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Can you tell me how and why that came about?

Columbia University

Or was it something that came about later on?

Harvard University

Not bad for a project that came about by fluke.

Independent

This change in thinking directly led to the relaxation in policies that came about later.

The New York Times

Luckily, Orlando Pita was there to help create the look that came about based on one of Kors's fantasy stories.

The New York Times

Can you talk a little bit about who you spoke with and how that came about?

Forbes

All the result of a meeting that came about as a kindness to somebody else.

Forbes

One of the problems that came about was when the Manitoba survey met the Saskatchewan survey.

Wikipedia

It was a reunion that came about in an unlikely way.

Los Angeles Times

And as far as the score was concerned, that came about by chance.

HuffPost

It's a guitar that came about from a breakage on an airline.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context makes it clear what "that" refers to; avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient background information.

Common error

Avoid using "that came about" without a clear reference to what "that" refers to. Ensure the antecedent is explicitly stated to prevent confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that came about" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about its origin or how it occurred. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

11%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that came about" functions as a relative clause that describes the origin or occurrence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and general explanations, demonstrating its versatility. Although generally neutral in tone, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "that transpired" when the situation requires it. Clarity is essential when using this phrase; ensure the antecedent is clear to avoid ambiguity. With its frequent appearance and clear meaning, "that came about" remains a valuable tool for describing how events and ideas unfold.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that originated

Focuses on the point of origin or beginning of something.

that arose

Suggests something emerged or appeared, often unexpectedly.

that emerged

Similar to 'arose', but can imply a gradual development.

that resulted

Emphasizes the consequence or outcome of a particular action or event.

that transpired

A more formal way of saying something happened or occurred.

that developed

Implies a process of growth or evolution over time.

that materialized

Suggests something became concrete or real.

that was initiated

Highlights the act of starting or commencing something.

that was created

Focuses on the act of bringing something into existence.

that was formed

Emphasizes the shaping or structuring of something.

FAQs

How can I use "that came about" in a sentence?

You can use "that came about" to describe how something originated or occurred. For example, "The solution "that came about" after the brainstorming session proved to be highly effective".

What can I say instead of "that came about"?

You can use alternatives like "that originated", "that arose", or "that emerged" depending on the context.

Is "that came about" formal or informal?

"That came about" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for most contexts, more formal alternatives like "that transpired" may be preferable in strictly formal writing.

What's the difference between "that came about" and "that resulted"?

"That came about" describes the origin or occurrence of something, while "that resulted" emphasizes the outcome or consequence of a specific action or event.