we came upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we came upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the moment of discovering or encountering something unexpectedly. Example: "While hiking through the forest, we came upon a hidden waterfall that took our breath away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then we came upon the mosque.

The New York Times - Travel

Recently, we came upon his things.

The New York Times - Magazine

We came upon a scenic overlook.

The Guardian - Books

Suddenly we came upon two small children.

The New York Times

During our trip, we came upon only five fellow travelers.

The New York Times - Travel

"But we came upon a funeral coming the other way.

The New York Times

We came upon a beaver on a floating log.

The New Yorker

It was then that we came upon the camel market.

The New York Times - Travel

Still, the group we came upon seemed cooperative enough.

The New York Times - Travel

We came upon a table of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

The New York Times - Magazine

We came upon a line of rising fish.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we came upon" to describe an unexpected finding or encounter during a journey or exploration, either literal or figurative.

Common error

Avoid using "we came upon" when you mean to say "we built upon", which signifies using an existing foundation to develop further.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we came upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of unexpectedly finding or encountering something. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in narrating discoveries during journeys or explorations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we came upon" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of unexpectedly finding or encountering something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. The phrase is predominantly found in news and media contexts, lending a sense of immediacy and discovery to narratives. While alternatives like "we encountered" or "we stumbled upon" exist, the phrase effectively conveys a blend of surprise and straightforward discovery. Remembering to use "we came upon" for unexpected findings, not for building upon existing foundations, will ensure clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we encountered

More formal and direct, suggesting a straightforward meeting.

we stumbled upon

Implies a more accidental or random discovery.

we chanced upon

Suggests a fortunate or serendipitous encounter.

we discovered

Focuses on the act of finding something previously unknown.

we happened upon

Similar to 'chanced upon' but slightly less emphatic.

we ran across

Indicates a casual or unplanned meeting.

we found

A simple and general term for locating something.

we crossed paths with

Emphasizes the coincidental nature of the meeting.

we met with

Focuses on the interaction rather than the discovery.

we lighted upon

An older, more literary way to express discovery.

FAQs

How can I use "we came upon" in a sentence?

Use "we came upon" to describe unexpectedly finding something or someone. For example, "While hiking, we came upon a hidden waterfall".

What's a more formal alternative to "we came upon"?

A more formal alternative is "we encountered", which suggests a more direct and less accidental meeting.

Is "we came on" the same as "we came upon"?

No, "we came on" has a different meaning. It often implies moving forward or progressing, whereas "we came upon" means finding or discovering something.

What can I say instead of "we came upon" to emphasize luck?

You could say "we stumbled upon" or "we chanced upon" to highlight the element of chance or good fortune in the discovery.