come by
phrasal verb·1 sense·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.”
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 by crossing to where you are; 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; Make an unplanned brief visit
sit by
Same by pattern: beside
Take a seat close beside someone
stand by
Same by pattern: beside
Wait nearby, ready to act if needed; Stay loyal to what you said or promised; Wait, ready to act when needed; 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”.
Practice “come by” in Sink In
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