come over
HighInformal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To visit someone at their location, typically their home; to travel to where the speaker/listener is.
To be perceived or appear in a certain way (e.g., 'come over as shy'); to be suddenly affected by a feeling or state (e.g., 'come over dizzy').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a phrasal verb, its meaning shifts dramatically with context: the physical movement meaning (visit) is more common. The 'appear/be perceived' meaning often requires the preposition 'as' (come over as). The 'sudden feeling' meaning often uses 'come over all + adjective' in British English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English more commonly uses the 'sudden feeling' construction ('come over all queer/peculiar'). The 'visit' meaning is universal. 'Come over' meaning 'to be perceived as' is slightly more formal/less common in AmE.
Connotations
In the 'visit' sense, it's casual and friendly. In the 'appear' sense, it can imply an unintended or observed impression.
Frequency
High frequency in both dialects for the 'visit' sense. The 'appear/be perceived' sense is mid-frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person] + come over + [Adverb of Place] (e.g., 'here')[Person] + come over + to + [Place/Person][Person/Thing] + come over + as + [Adjective/Noun Phrase][Person] + come over + all + [Adjective (state)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “come over all unnecessary (BrE, humorous)”
- “come over the hill (literal, not idiomatic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in informal contexts ('Why don't you come over to our office for a chat?').
Academic
Very rare in formal writing. Might appear in reported speech or informal dialogue.
Everyday
Very common for making social arrangements and describing impressions.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Do you fancy coming over for a cuppa later?
- He came over all peculiar after lunch, so he went home.
- In the interview, she came over as very knowledgeable.
American English
- You should come over for the game on Sunday.
- A wave of nausea came over me.
- The candidate came over well in the debate.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please come over here.
- My friend will come over tomorrow.
- Come over at six o'clock.
- Why don't you come over to my place for pizza?
- A strange feeling came over her when she entered the old house.
- He comes over as a bit shy when you first meet him.
- I'd love to come over, but I'm swamped with work this week.
- Despite his tough exterior, he came over as incredibly kind during the crisis.
- She suddenly came over all faint and had to sit down.
- The documentary came over as heavily biased, undermining its credibility.
- An inexplicable sense of calm came over him as he stepped onto the stage.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a friend saying 'COME over the bridge to my house' – you physically move OVER a distance to VISIT.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPRESSION IS AN ARRIVAL (e.g., 'He comes over as arrogant' = the impression of arrogance arrives to the perceiver).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'приходить' for abstract 'appear as' sense; use 'seem' or 'appear' instead of 'come over'.
- Confusing 'come over' (visit) with 'overcome' (победить).
Common Mistakes
- *I came over him at the party. (Incorrect for 'met' – use 'ran into' or 'met').
- *She came over to be clever. (Incorrect – use 'She came over as clever' or 'She tried to be clever').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'come over' to mean 'suddenly experience a feeling'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily informal to neutral. It's perfect for social arrangements and everyday conversation but not for formal reports.
Both can mean 'to be perceived as'. 'Come over' often focuses on the impression made in a specific situation (e.g., a speech), while 'come across' can be more general or based on overall behavior. 'Come across' also has the meaning of 'to find by chance'.
No, it is an intransitive phrasal verb. You cannot 'come over someone'. The structure is usually 'come over to [place]' or 'come over [as/all]...'.
Use the structure: [Person] + came over + all + [Adjective describing state] (BrE) or [Feeling] + came over + [Person]. E.g., 'She came over all dizzy.' / 'A wave of sadness came over him.'