come by
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle by
Meanings
Pay a brief visit to someone
Why “by”? Something stays near another thing.
“Come by for a coffee.”
“Come by after class if you need help.”
Get or find something, often when it is difficult
Why “by”? Something reaches your hands through an indirect or unexpected route.
“How did you come by this old map?”
“Good tickets are hard to come by.”
Don't confuse with
Come by means pay a brief visit to someone. Come about means happen, especially in an unplanned way.
Come by means pay a brief visit to someone. Come over means visit by crossing to where you are.
Come by means pay a brief visit to someone. Come around means visit someone at their home.
Test yourself
“Come by for a coffee.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
come about
A contrast learners often mix up
Happen, especially in an unplanned way; Of a ship, change tack to the opposite side
come around
A contrast learners often mix up
Visit someone at their home; Regain consciousness after fainting or anaesthesia; Eventually agree to or accept an idea; (of an event) recur on a regular schedule
come over
A contrast learners often mix up
Visit someone's house or place; Be felt by someone suddenly; Give a particular impression; Change to support a different side or opinion
come round
A contrast learners often mix up
Visit someone briefly at their home; Eventually accept a different point of view; Regain consciousness after fainting or anaesthesia
drop by
Same by pattern: beside
Make a brief, casual visit
sit by
Same by pattern: beside
Take a seat close beside someone
stand by
Same by pattern: beside
Wait, ready to act if needed; Stay loyal to what you said or promised; Watch without intervening
stay by
Same by pattern: beside
Continue to support or remain near someone
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “come by”.
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