come across
B1Informal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To be perceived in a particular way; to meet or find by chance.
Can describe making a specific impression on others, or unexpectedly encountering something/someone. In broadcasting, also means to be understood or communicated effectively.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. The meaning shifts based on whether the object is a person/thing (find by chance) or an impression/quality (be perceived).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slightly more frequent in British English in the 'find by chance' sense. The broadcasting sense ('His ideas came across well.') is equally common.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. No significant connotative difference.
Frequency
High frequency in both dialects. The 'find/meet by chance' sense is core vocabulary.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + come across + [as + adjective/noun phrase][Subject] + come across + [prepositional phrase with 'to'][Subject] + come across + [direct object (thing/person found)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “come across the pond (from US to UK or vice versa)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The CEO comes across as decisive in meetings."
Academic
"I came across a fascinating study while researching."
Everyday
"He came across as a bit rude on the phone."
Technical
Rare. Possibly in UX: "Does the warning message come across clearly?"
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I came across my old diaries whilst clearing the loft.
- She comes across as very confident in interviews.
American English
- I came across a great diner while driving through Ohio.
- The politician's message didn't come across well on TV.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I came across a £5 note on the street.
- He comes across as shy, but he's actually very funny.
- If you come across any useful resources, please share them with the team.
- The satire in the article didn't come across to readers who lacked the cultural context.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'coming' (moving towards) and 'across' (from one side to another). You move across information or an impression moves across to someone else.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS TRAVEL (an impression 'travels' to a perceiver). DISCOVERY IS A PATH (you 'walk upon' something unexpectedly).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'приходить через'. For 'find by chance', use 'наткнуться на', 'случайно найти'. For 'be perceived', use 'производить впечатление', 'казаться'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'come across' for intentional search (*I came across my keys after searching for an hour* – better: *I finally found*). Confusing it with 'come over' (feel ill/visit).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'come across' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'I came it across'. The object always follows 'across'.
Both mean to meet by chance. 'Run into' is slightly more informal and is used primarily for people, while 'come across' is used for both people and things.
Yes, depending on context. 'Come across as arrogant' is negative. 'Come across a dead body' is also negative. The phrase itself is neutral.
Use it directly: Subject + come across + object. E.g., 'She came across an old letter.' No preposition is needed before the object.