What does "come across" mean?
Two main meanings:1. To seem or appear a certain way:"She comes across as very confident.""How did I come across in the interview?""He comes across as arrogant, though he's actually quite shy."This is about the impression someone gives - their visible personality or manner, which may or may not m...
Two main meanings
1. To seem or appear a certain way
"She comes across as very confident."
"How did I come across in the interview?"
"He comes across as arrogant, though he's actually quite shy."
This is about the impression someone gives - their visible personality or manner, which may or may not match reality.
2. To find or encounter unexpectedly
"I came across this article and thought of you."
"We came across an old building in the forest."
This is about accidental discovery - you weren't looking for it, but you found it.
Which is more common? Both are very frequent. Meaning 1 is particularly common in professional contexts when discussing how someone presents themselves.
A native would say (for meaning 1)
- "She seems" - plainer
- "She gives the impression of" - more formal
- "She reads as" - more recent, slightly informal
What does "come across" mean?
Two main meanings:1. To seem or appear a certain way:"She comes across as very confident.""How did I come across in the interview?""He comes across as arrogant, though he's actually quite shy."This is about the impression someone gives - their visible personality or manner, which may or may not m...
What's another way to say "come across"?
- "She seems" - plainer
- "She gives the impression of" - more formal
- "She reads as" - more recent, slightly informal
Phrasal verbs are one of the hardest parts of English to master.
LLH Tutor explains them in plain language, so you know exactly when and how to use each one.
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