come about
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle about
Meanings
Happen, especially in an unplanned way
Why “about”? You turn toward a task and start it.
“How did this come about?”
“The change came about after many small meetings.”
Of a ship, change tack to the opposite side
Why “about”? You turn to face the opposite direction.
“The yacht came about into the wind.”
“The boat came about after the skipper called the turn.”
Don't confuse with
Come about means happen, especially in an unplanned way. Come along means make progress or develop.
Come about means happen, especially in an unplanned way. Come up means arise as a topic or event.
Test yourself
“How did this come about?” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
come along
A contrast learners often mix up
Make progress or develop; Accompany someone to a place; Arrive or appear, often by chance
come up
A contrast learners often mix up
Arise as a topic or event; Create an idea or plan, or find an answer
bring about
Same about pattern: starting
Cause something to happen
face about
Same about pattern: opposite way
Pivot to face the opposite direction
go about
Same about pattern: starting
Approach or carry out a task in a particular way; Do your normal activities
set about
Same about pattern: starting
Begin a task with deliberate effort
turn about
Same about pattern: opposite way
Reverse direction by 180°
come across
Same base verb: come
Find or meet someone or something by chance; Give a particular impression to others; Be expressed clearly enough for people to notice or understand
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “come about”.
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