all about come across

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Definition of “come across”: the exact definition of the phrasal verb “come across” and how it is used in a sentence.

“Come across” is a phrasal verb that can have a few different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.

  1. To find or discover something unexpectedly:
    • I came across an old photo album while cleaning out the attic.
    • He came across a rare book at the thrift store and decided to buy it.
  1. To give a certain impression or impression:
    • She came across as confident and competent during the interview.
    • He came across as rude and unprofessional in his emails.
  1. To offer or provide something:
    • We came across a great deal on tickets to the concert and decided to buy them.
    • He came across a group of people stranded on the side of the road and offered to help.
forms and tenses of come across

Forms and tenses: the different forms and tenses of “come across” and examples of how to use each one

“Come across” is a phrasal verb that can be used in the present, past, and future tenses.

  • Present tense:
    • I come across old photos while going through my things.
    • She comes across as confident in her interviews.
    • He comes across a great deal on tickets to the concert.
  • Past tense:
    • I came across an old photo album while cleaning out the attic.
    • She came across as confident and competent during the interview.
    • He came across a rare book at the thrift store and decided to buy it.
  • Future tense:
    • I will come across some old letters while going through my grandmother’s things.
    • She will come across a new band on Spotify and fall in love with their music.
    • He will come across a rare plant in the forest and take a photo of it.

“Come across” can also be used in the imperative form, which is used to give a command or make a request.

  • Imperative form:
    • Come across the street and help me with this package.
    • Please come across the room and give me a hug.

Note: The imperative form of “come across” is not commonly used, and it may be more natural to use a different verb or phrase in these situations, such as “cross the street” or “come over here.”

meaning and usage of come across

Meaning and usage: the different meanings and uses of “come across” and examples of how to use it in different contexts.

“Come across” is a phrasal verb that can have a few different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.

  1. To find or discover something unexpectedly:
    • I came across an old photo album while cleaning out the attic. (I found the photo album unexpectedly while I was cleaning out the attic.)
    • He came across a rare book at the thrift store and decided to buy it. (He discovered the rare book at the thrift store and decided to purchase it.)
  1. To give a certain impression or appearance:
    • She came across as confident and competent during the interview. (She gave the impression of being confident and competent during the interview.)
    • He came across as rude and unprofessional in his emails. (He gave the impression of being rude and unprofessional in his emails.)
  1. To offer or provide something:
    • We came across a great deal on tickets to the concert and decided to buy them. (We found a good deal on tickets to the concert and decided to purchase them.)
    • He came across a group of people stranded on the side of the road and offered to help. (He offered to help a group of people who were stranded on the side of the road.)

In all of these examples, “come across” is used to describe something that is found or discovered unexpectedly, or to describe how someone or something appears or is perceived. It can also be used to describe an action that is offered or provided. The verb “come” is used to describe the movement, and “across” can be thought of as meaning “to or towards the other side.” So, “come across” can be thought of as meaning “to move towards the other side of something and encounter or find something unexpected.”

common expressions with come across

Common expressions with “come across”: some common expressions that use “come across” and their meanings and uses

Here are a few common expressions that use the phrasal verb “come across”:

  1. “Come across as”: This expression is used to describe how someone or something appears or is perceived.
    • She came across as confident and competent during the interview. (She gave the impression of being confident and competent during the interview.)
    • He came across as rude and unprofessional in his emails. (He gave the impression of being rude and unprofessional in his emails.)
  1. “Come across something”: This expression is used to describe finding or discovering something unexpectedly.
    • I came across an old photo album while cleaning out the attic. (I found the photo album unexpectedly while I was cleaning out the attic.)
    • He came across a rare book at the thrift store and decided to buy it. (He discovered the rare book at the thrift store and decided to purchase it.)
  1. “Come across as someone/something”: This expression is used to describe how someone is perceived or appears to others.
    • She came across as someone who is very knowledgeable about the topic. (She gave the impression of being very knowledgeable about the topic.)
    • He came across as someone who is very friendly and approachable. (He gave the impression of being very friendly and approachable.)
  1. “Come across to”: This expression is used to describe how someone or something appears or is perceived by a particular person or group.
    • She came across to me as very intelligent and capable. (She gave me the impression of being very intelligent and capable.)
    • He came across to his coworkers as someone who is easy to work with. (He gave the impression of being easy to work with to his coworkers.)
  1. In all of these expressions, “come across” is used to describe how someone or something appears or is perceived by others. It can be thought of as meaning “to be perceived as” or “to give the impression of being.”

The list of synonyms for “Come Across”

These words can be used interchangeably with “come across” to convey the idea of unexpectedly finding or encountering something or someone.

Here is a list of synonyms for “come across”:

  1. Encounter
  2. Find
  3. Discover
  4. Stumble upon
  5. Run into
  6. Chance upon
  7. Happen upon
  8. Meet with
  9. Spot
  10. Locate
  11. Detect
  12. Unearth
  13. Identify
  14. Light upon
  15. Bump into
  16. Cross paths with
  17. Hit upon
  18. Sight
  19. Chance on
  20. Fall upon

The list of antonyms for “Break Up”

These words represent concepts opposite to “come across” and imply actions or situations where someone intentionally avoids encountering or noticing something or someone.

Here is a list of antonyms for “come across”:

  1. Avoid
  2. Miss
  3. Overlook
  4. Ignore
  5. Evade
  6. Bypass
  7. Elude
  8. Escape
  9. Shun
  10. Lose
  11. Disregard
  12. Neglect
  13. Pass by
  14. Pass over
  15. Skip
  16. Pass up
  17. Dismiss
  18. Fail to notice
  19. Exclude
  20. Neglect

example sentences with come across

50 example sentences for Come Across phrasal verb

  1. I came across an old photo album while cleaning out the attic.
  2. She came across as confident and competent during the interview.
  3. He came across a rare book at the thrift store and decided to buy it.
  4. We came across a beautiful waterfall while hiking in the mountains.
  5. She came across some old letters while going through her grandmother’s things.
  6. He came across a job posting online and decided to apply.
  7. I came across an interesting article about the history of tea.
  8. She came across a recipe for a new dish and decided to try it out.
  9. He came across a stray kitten and decided to adopt it.
  10. We came across a great deal on tickets to the concert and decided to buy them.
  11. I came across a lost wallet on the street and returned it to its owner.
  12. She came across a valuable antique at an estate sale and bought it.
  13. He came across a group of people stranded on the side of the road and offered to help.
  14. We came across a beautiful beach while traveling in Thailand.
  15. I came across a lost dog and helped reunite it with its owner.
  16. She came across a new band on Spotify and fell in love with their music.
  17. He came across a rare plant in the forest and took a photo of it.
  18. We came across a cute little cafe while walking through the city.
  19. I came across a really good book at the library and checked it out.
  20. She came across a useful tool in the garage and decided to keep it.
  21. He came across a sketchbook filled with his old drawings and reminisced about the past.
  22. We came across a breathtaking view while hiking in the Alps.
  23. I came across a lost backpack on the bus and returned it to the lost and found.
  24. She came across a great deal on a new phone and decided to buy it.
  25. He came across a rare coin at a flea market and added it to his collection.
  26. We came across a charming little boutique while shopping in the city.
  27. I came across a really helpful article while researching online.
  28. She came across a box of old toys while cleaning out the attic and decided to donate them.
  29. He came across a beautiful piece of art at an art fair and decided to buy it.
  30. We came across a great restaurant while traveling in Italy and decided to eat there.
  31. I came across a lost cat and took it to the animal shelter.
  32. She came across a new band on YouTube and became a fan.
  33. He came across a rare species of bird while hiking and took a photo of it.
  34. We came across a stunning garden while exploring the city.
  35. I came across a really interesting podcast while browsing online.
  36. She came across a box of old family photos while going through her parent’s things.
  37. He came across a rare edition of a book at a bookstore and decided to buy it.
  38. We came across a beautiful beach while traveling in Hawaii.
  39. I came across a lost wallet on the sidewalk and turned it in to the police station.
  40. She came across a great deal on a new laptop and decided to buy it.
  41. He came across a rare plant in the botanical garden and took a photo of it.
  42. We came across a charming little cafe while walking through the city.
  43. I came across a really helpful tutorial while researching online.
  44. She came across a great recipe for a new dish and decided to try it out.
  45. He came across a rare stamp at a stamp show and added it to his collection.
  46. We came across a beautiful park while exploring the city.
  47. I came across a really interesting documentary while browsing online.
  48. She came across a box of old letters while going through her grandmother’s things and decided to keep them.
  49. He came across a rare coin at a coin show and decided to buy it.
  50. We came across a charming little shop while walking through the city and decided to check it out.