winter has come

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "winter has come" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the season or to suggest certain implications that come with the season such as shorter days or cooler temperatures. For example, you could say "Winter has come, so it's time to start bundling up in our warmest winter coats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We were greatly looking forward to the show but the big bad winter has come early this year.

Vice

Ghost got misdirected and is in the Jon Snow Pub on Broadwick Street in London, where he's drinking a big bowl of warm brandy-infused milk getting his strength up for next season now that winter has come.

Huffington Post

"Winter has come It looks as though we'll have to stay here until next spring".

The New Yorker

"Winter has come," my husband said.

The New Yorker

For book obsessives looking to the future of Game of Thrones, winter has come.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Winter has come to the vast, northernmost reaches of Canada, the sparsely populated area surrounding the Arctic Circle historically characterized by severely cold weather.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The family of the 12-year-old boy who said Mr. Jackson molested him last winter has come in for early, rugged scrutiny and a tape of the boy and his mother talking kindly about Mr. Jackson has been leaked to the news media.

The New York Times

Now tomorrow has come.

The Economist

Christmas has come early for Harry Potter fans.

Independent

Christmas 2013 has come (very) early.

The Guardian - Sport

'Christmas has come early, children,' he repeats.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the phrase when you want to evoke a sense of dramatic change or a significant transition.

Common error

While "winter has come" can be impactful, avoid using it excessively, especially in contexts where a more straightforward description would suffice. Overuse can dilute its dramatic effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "winter has come" primarily functions as a declarative statement. It can be used literally to announce the arrival of the winter season, as observed in Ludwig's examples. Metaphorically, it serves to signal the commencement of a challenging or significant period.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "winter has come" is grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily in news and media. It signals the arrival of the winter season, often metaphorically representing the onset of a challenging or significant period. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is acceptable and understandable in contemporary English. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse to maintain its dramatic impact. You can choose alternative phrases like "tough times have arrived" to diversify your language. Its frequent association with the TV show Game of Thrones has imbued it with certain dramatic or foreboding connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

winter is here

Synonymous, indicating the present arrival of winter.

the cold season has arrived

Rephrased to emphasize the arrival of cold weather.

the harsh times are upon us

A metaphorical alternative emphasizing difficulty.

the difficult period has begun

Focuses on the commencement of a challenging phase.

a challenging era has started

Emphasizes a longer, more significant period.

the season of hardship is here

Highlights the challenging nature of the period.

tough times have arrived

A simple and direct alternative to indicate difficulty.

the onset of winter

Focuses on the beginning of the winter season.

a period of difficulty is commencing

Highlights the beginning of a period with problems.

the arrival of a dark period

Emphasizes the negative and challenging aspects of the arriving period.

FAQs

How can I use "winter has come" in a sentence?

You can use "winter has come" to describe the season or to suggest certain implications that come with the season such as shorter days or cooler temperatures. For example, you could say "Winter has come, so it's time to start bundling up in our warmest winter coats."

What is the origin of the phrase "winter has come"?

The phrase "winter has come" gained popularity from the "Game of Thrones" series, where it serves as a motto signifying impending danger and the arrival of difficult times. Its usage now extends beyond the show to represent any period of significant challenge or change.

What can I say instead of "winter has come" to imply a difficult period?

You can use alternatives like "tough times have arrived", "a challenging era has started", or "the harsh times are upon us" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "winter has come" metaphorically?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use "winter has come" metaphorically. It is often employed to indicate the beginning of a period of hardship, challenge, or significant change, drawing on the association of winter with cold, darkness, and difficulty.