to come

USAGE SUMMARY

"to come" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something will happen in the future. For example: "We are planning to come to the party next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've got to come.' ".

The New York Times

"To come from Milwaukee!

The New Yorker

Trials are to come.

The New Yorker

Years to come".

The New Yorker

Other flavors to come.

The New York Times

More are to come.

The Economist

More details to come.

The New York Times

Name to come.

The New York Times

Hard to come by.

The New York Times - Sports

Many more to come.

The New York Times

We had to come".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to come" to indicate future events, ensure the context clearly defines the timeframe. For instance, specify "in the years to come" instead of simply "to come" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to come" as a standalone passive construction, as it often requires a subject. Instead of saying "Mistakes are to come", specify "More mistakes are "bound to happen"" or "Mistakes are "likely to occur"".

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to come" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, often indicating future states, events, or arrivals. Ludwig indicates its correct and frequent usage in various contexts. Examples show it modifying nouns like "details", "years", and "flavors".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to come" is a versatile infinitive phrase commonly used to denote future occurrences, arrivals, or states. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and wide applicability make it suitable for diverse writing and speaking contexts. While the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, its register remains neutral, allowing for usage across both formal and informal settings. When using "to come", ensure clarity in defining the timeframe and avoid standalone passive constructions. Consider semantically related alternatives like "in the future" or "yet to happen" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the future

Indicates a time later than the present; more general than an immediate arrival.

yet to happen

Emphasizes that something has not occurred but is expected.

still to occur

Similar to "yet to happen" but can imply a more formal or inevitable occurrence.

approaching

Focuses on the act of drawing near, rather than the arrival itself.

on the horizon

Implies that something is anticipated or expected in the near future.

in store

Suggests that something is being reserved or prepared for the future.

down the line

Refers to a later point in a sequence or timeframe.

destined to happen

Suggests that an event is predetermined.

on its way

Focuses on the journey or process of arrival.

in due course

Indicates that something will happen at the appropriate or expected time.

FAQs

How can I use "to come" in a sentence?

You can use "to come" to indicate a future event or arrival. For example, "More details are "to follow"" or "The guests are "about to arrive"".

What's a formal alternative to "to come"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "forthcoming", "subsequent", or "ensuing" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "to come" differ from "to go"?

"To come" indicates movement towards the speaker or a specified location, while "to go" indicates movement away from the speaker or a specified location. For example, "Please come here" versus "Please go there".

What does "more to come" mean?

"More to come" means that there will be additional information, events, or developments in the future. It's often used to signal that a story or series of events is ongoing and not yet complete.