What is come? Pronunciation and usage in English

come means . Learn how to pronounce and use come through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of come

comeverb

/kʌm/
Definition & pronunciation of come

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "come" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and correct pronunciation is:

  • /kəm/ (rhymes with "hum")

Here's how to do it:

  1. "C" sound: Say the "c" as you would in the word "cat." It's a crisp, clear "k" sound.

  2. "O" sound: This is the tricky part. The "o" sound in "come" is a schwa sound – a very short, relaxed vowel. It's similar to the "a" in "about" or “so”. It's almost like you're saying the "o" very quickly and lightly, almost disappearing. You can think of it as almost a very subtle “uh” sound.

  3. "M" sound: Finally, say the "m" as you would in the word "man."

Putting it all together: Kuhm (with a very quick, relaxed "uh" in the middle).

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. You can find many examples on:

    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/come/ (This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.)
    • Google Search: Type “how to pronounce come” into Google, and you’ll find audio samples.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce come" on YouTube.

  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "come" and compare it to a native speaker’s pronunciation.

  • Break it down: Focus on each syllable separately. Say "kuh" and then "m" and then blend them together.

  • Don't overemphasize: The schwa sound is very subtle. Don't try to force a strong "o" sound.

Important Note: There is a less common pronunciation that sounds like “koom” (rhymes with “room”), especially in some regional accents (like some parts of Scotland or Ireland). However, /kəm/ is the standard, accepted pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Provide more examples of words with the same schwa sound?
  • Find a short audio clip of the pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word come in English

Let's break down how to use the word "come" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a lot of different meanings and uses! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. Movement – The Basic Meaning

  • To move towards someone or something: This is the most common usage.
    • "Come here!" – (Requesting someone to move closer)
    • "They came to the party." – (They traveled to the party)
    • "I came home late." – (I traveled home)
    • "The dog came running." - (The dog moved quickly towards something)

2. Arrival / To Arrive

  • To reach a place: Often used with "to."
    • "I'm coming to the meeting tomorrow." – (I will arrive at the meeting)
    • "She came to London last week." – (She arrived in London)

3. Invitation / Request

  • To invite someone to do something:
    • "Come and see my new house!" – (Invite them to visit)
    • "Come help me with this." – (Request their assistance)
    • “Come along!” - (Let’s go together!)

4. Asking for a Response / To Answer

  • To ask for an answer: (Often used in questions)
    • "Do you come here often?" – (Do you regularly visit this place?)
    • "Do you come from Spain?" – (Are you originally from Spain?)

5. “Come On!” – Encouragement/Motivation

  • To urge someone to do something: (Expressing encouragement or impatience)
    • "Come on, you can do it!" – (Encourage them to try)
    • "Come on, let's go!" – (Let’s get moving!)
    • "Come on, tell me the truth!" – (Tell me the truth!)

6. “Come up” – Various Meanings (Idiomatic)

This is where it gets trickier. “Come up” has several common idiomatic meanings:

  • To appear/occur:
    • "A problem came up." – (A problem suddenly appeared)
    • "Good ideas come up sometimes." – (Ideas spontaneously appear)
  • To rise/increase:
    • "The price of gas came up." – (The price increased)
  • To meet/encounter (often unexpectedly):
    • "I came up with a brilliant idea." – (I thought of a brilliant idea)
    • "He came up with a solution." – (He found a solution)
  • To happen/occur (informal):
    • "Nothing much came up today." - (Not much happened)

7. “Come across” – Encountering Unexpectedly

  • To find or meet someone or something unexpectedly:
    • "I came across an old friend yesterday." – (I unexpectedly met an old friend)
    • "I came across this interesting article online." - (I found this article online unexpectedly)

8. "Come to" – To Realize / Understand

  • To understand something suddenly:
    • "It suddenly came to me." – (I suddenly understood)
    • "He came to realize his mistake." – (He realized his mistake)

Important Notes & Variations:

  • "Come" vs. “Come to”: They are distinct verbs with different meanings.
  • Contractions: “Come” often contracts to “’m” (I’m coming) and “’ll” (I’ll come).
  • Phrasal Verbs: "Come" is frequently used in phrasal verbs (verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs), which dramatically alter its meaning. (e.g., “Come back,” “Come across,” “Come up with”).

Resources for Further Learning:

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Synonyms for the word come

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