Understanding ‘Come into’ and Its Importance in IELTS
The phrasal verb ‘come into’ is a versatile and commonly used expression that can significantly enhance your language proficiency in the IELTS exam. Understanding its various meanings and applications can help you express yourself more naturally and accurately, potentially boosting your scores in both the speaking and writing sections.
Definitions and Explanations
‘Come into’ has several meanings depending on the context:
To enter or arrive:
“The teacher came into the classroom.”To inherit or receive:
“She came into a large fortune after her uncle’s passing.”To begin (often with seasons or periods):
“Spring has come into bloom.”To develop or acquire:
“The idea came into her mind suddenly.”
Synonyms or equivalent expressions include ‘enter’, ‘inherit’, ‘receive’, ‘begin’, or ‘develop’, depending on the specific context.
Usage in Context
‘Come into’ can be used in various situations, from formal to informal:
- Formal: “The new policy will come into effect next month.”
- Informal: “Hey, come into my office for a quick chat.”
- Written: “The protagonist comes into her own as the story progresses.”
- Spoken: “I came into some money recently and decided to invest it.”
Different contexts of 'come into' usage
Grammatical Analysis
‘Come into’ is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning you cannot place an object between ‘come’ and ‘into’. The structure typically follows:
Subject + come into + object/complement
For example:
- Correct: “She came into the room.”
- Incorrect: “She came the room into.”
Application in IELTS
In IELTS Speaking
Using ‘come into’ can demonstrate your vocabulary range and natural language use. Here are some example responses:
Question: “How did you become interested in your field of study?”
Answer: “My passion for biology really came into focus during a high school field trip to a nature reserve. The experience made me realize how fascinating ecosystems are.”
Question: “Can you describe a significant change in your life?”
Answer: “A significant change came into my life when I moved to a new city for university. It was challenging at first, but it helped me become more independent.”
In IELTS Writing
Incorporate ‘come into’ to add sophistication to your writing:
Task 2 example: “As technology comes into play in every aspect of our lives, it’s crucial to consider its impact on traditional forms of communication.”
Note: While ‘come into’ is versatile, ensure you use it appropriately based on the formality of the task.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Come up with /kʌm ʌp wɪð/: To think of an idea or plan
“We need to come up with a solution to this problem.”Come across /kʌm əˈkrɒs/: To find something by chance
“I came across an interesting article while researching.”Come about /kʌm əˈbaʊt/: To happen or occur
“How did this situation come about?”Come along /kʌm əˈlɒŋ/: To arrive or appear
“Opportunities like this don’t come along very often.”Come through /kʌm θruː/: To succeed or survive a difficult experience
“She came through the surgery successfully.”Come to /kʌm tuː/: To regain consciousness
“After fainting, he came to quickly.”Come off /kʌm ɒf/: To succeed or happen as planned
“The party came off without a hitch.”
Related phrasal verbs to 'come into'
Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blanks
- The idea suddenly __ my mind.
- Spring has __ bloom early this year.
- She __ a large inheritance from her grandmother.
- The new law will __ effect next month.
- Please __ my office when you’re ready.
- The truth finally __ light after years of investigation.
- His talent really __ its own during the performance.
- The company __ existence in the early 1900s.
- We need to __ a solution quickly.
- The opportunity to travel __ unexpectedly.
Sentence Transformation
Original: He inherited a fortune.
Rewrite: He __ a fortune.Original: The idea occurred to her suddenly.
Rewrite: The idea __ suddenly.Original: Spring is beginning.
Rewrite: Spring is __.Original: Please enter my office.
Rewrite: Please __ my office.Original: The new policy will start next week.
Rewrite: The new policy will __ next week.Original: She developed her skills over time.
Rewrite: She __ her skills over time.Original: The truth was finally revealed.
Rewrite: The truth finally __.Original: The company was established in 1995.
Rewrite: The company __ in 1995.Original: We need to think of a solution quickly.
Rewrite: We need to __ a solution quickly.Original: The opportunity appeared unexpectedly.
Rewrite: The opportunity __ unexpectedly.
Answers and Explanations
Fill in the Blanks:
- came into
- come into
- came into
- come into
- come into
- came into
- came into
- came into
- come up with
- came along
Sentence Transformation:
- He came into a fortune.
- The idea came into her mind suddenly.
- Spring is coming into bloom.
- Please come into my office.
- The new policy will come into effect next week.
- She came into her skills over time.
- The truth finally came into light.
- The company came into existence in 1995.
- We need to come up with a solution quickly.
- The opportunity came into view unexpectedly.
Explanations:
- In the fill-in-the-blank exercises, ‘come into’ is used in various contexts, such as ideas forming, seasons changing, inheriting, laws taking effect, and entering spaces.
- The sentence transformation exercises demonstrate how to replace single verbs or phrases with the phrasal verb ‘come into’ to create more natural, idiomatic expressions.
- Note that in question 9 of both exercises, we use ‘come up with’ instead of ‘come into’ as it’s more appropriate for generating ideas or solutions.
Memory Tips
To remember ‘come into’ and its uses:
Visualize entering: Picture yourself physically coming into a room. This can help you remember the ‘enter’ meaning.
Think of seasons: Imagine flowers blooming as spring ‘comes into’ view, reinforcing the ‘begin’ meaning.
Associate with inheritance: Picture money ‘coming into’ your possession, helping you remember the ‘receive/inherit’ meaning.
Create a story: “As I came into the room, an idea came into my mind about how to come into some money.” This combines multiple uses in one memorable sentence.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake: Separating the phrasal verb
Incorrect: “She came the room into.”
Correct: “She came into the room.”
Tip: Always keep ‘come’ and ‘into’ together.Mistake: Using the wrong preposition
Incorrect: “He came to a fortune.”
Correct: “He came into a fortune.”
Tip: Remember that ‘into’ suggests receiving or entering.Mistake: Overusing in formal writing
Tip: While ‘come into’ is versatile, in very formal IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, consider using more formal alternatives when appropriate.Mistake: Confusing with similar phrasal verbs
Incorrect: “I came into an old friend at the store.” (Should be “came across”)
Tip: Practice with context to understand the nuances between similar phrasal verbs.
Conclusion
Mastering ‘come into’ and its various applications can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Its versatility allows you to express a range of concepts naturally, from entering spaces to inheriting fortunes and developing ideas. Remember to practice using it in different contexts and combine it with related phrasal verbs to showcase your language proficiency. By incorporating ‘come into’ effectively in your IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks, you’ll demonstrate a strong command of English idiomatic expressions, potentially boosting your scores. Keep practicing and coming up with new ways to use this valuable phrasal verb in your language arsenal.