Understanding the Phrasal Verb ‘Come across’

The phrasal verb ‘come across’ is a versatile and commonly used expression in English that can significantly enhance your IELTS Speaking performance. Understanding its various meanings and applications is crucial for achieving a high score in your IELTS test.

Definition and Explanation

‘Come across’ has several meanings depending on the context:

1. To encounter or find something by chance
2. To appear or seem to others in a particular way
3. To communicate effectively or make oneself understood

Synonyms for ‘come across’ include ‘encounter’, ‘stumble upon’, ‘appear’, or ‘convey’.

Usage in Context

Here are some examples showcasing the different uses of ‘come across’:

1. “I came across an interesting article about climate change while browsing the internet.”
2. “She comes across as very confident during job interviews.”
3. “The speaker’s message didn’t come across clearly due to the poor audio quality.”

Examples of 'Come across' usage in different contexts

Grammatical Analysis

‘Come across’ is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it doesn’t take a direct object. The two parts of this phrasal verb are inseparable. When used with a pronoun, it follows this structure: “come across + pronoun” (e.g., “come across it”).

Applying ‘Come across’ in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking

Incorporating ‘come across’ in your IELTS Speaking responses can demonstrate your vocabulary range and fluency. Here are some examples:

1. Describing a person: “My professor comes across as very knowledgeable and approachable.”
2. Talking about an experience: “While traveling in Japan, I came across a beautiful hidden temple.”

In IELTS Writing

While ‘come across’ is more common in spoken English, it can be used effectively in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays:

“In today’s digital age, people often come across misinformation on social media platforms.”

However, be cautious about using it in formal academic writing, as it may be considered too casual in some contexts.

Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Run into /rʌn ˈɪntə/ – To meet someone by chance
   Example: “I ran into my old classmate at the supermarket.”

2. Stumble upon /ˈstʌmbl əˈpɒn/ – To discover something by accident
   Example: “While hiking, we stumbled upon a beautiful waterfall.”

3. Give off /gɪv ˈɒf/ – To produce or emit something
   Example: “The new colleague gives off a friendly vibe.”

4. Put across /pʊt əˈkrɒs/ – To communicate or express an idea clearly
   Example: “The speaker put across his points effectively during the presentation.”

5. Get across /get əˈkrɒs/ – To communicate successfully
   Example: “It’s important to get your message across clearly in the IELTS Speaking test.”

Infographic of related phrasal verbs to 'come across'

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. I ___ an old photo album while cleaning the attic.
2. She ___ as very confident during the interview.
3. We ___ some interesting information while researching for our project.
4. The message didn’t ___ clearly due to the poor connection.
5. He ___ as shy at first, but he’s actually quite outgoing.
6. I ___ this amazing book at the library yesterday.
7. The new policy didn’t ___ well with the employees.
8. We ___ a rare species of bird during our nature walk.
9. The actor ___ as arrogant in his latest interview.
10. I ___ some valuable advice in that self-help book.

Sentence Transformation

1. Original: I accidentally found an interesting article online.
   Rewrite: I ___ an interesting article online.

2. Original: She seems very intelligent when you talk to her.
   Rewrite: She ___ very intelligent when you talk to her.

3. Original: We unexpectedly met our neighbors at the concert.
   Rewrite: We ___ our neighbors at the concert.

4. Original: The speaker failed to communicate his ideas effectively.
   Rewrite: The speaker’s ideas didn’t ___ effectively.

5. Original: I discovered a great restaurant by chance while exploring the city.
   Rewrite: I ___ a great restaurant while exploring the city.

6. Original: The message was not clearly understood by the audience.
   Rewrite: The message didn’t ___ clearly to the audience.

7. Original: He appears very confident during presentations.
   Rewrite: He ___ very confident during presentations.

8. Original: We accidentally found some rare artifacts during the excavation.
   Rewrite: We ___ some rare artifacts during the excavation.

9. Original: The new employee seems very enthusiastic about her job.
   Rewrite: The new employee ___ very enthusiastic about her job.

10. Original: I unexpectedly encountered some difficulties with the project.
    Rewrite: I ___ some difficulties with the project.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. came across
2. came across
3. came across
4. come across
5. comes across
6. came across
7. come across
8. came across
9. came across
10. came across

Sentence Transformation:

1. came across
2. comes across
3. ran into
4. come across
5. came across
6. come across
7. comes across
8. came across
9. comes across
10. came across

Explanations:

• In most cases, ‘come across’ is used in the past tense (came across) when referring to finding or encountering something by chance.
• When describing how someone appears or seems, we use ‘comes across’ in the present tense.
• In sentence 3 of the transformation exercise, ‘ran into’ is used as it’s more appropriate for unexpectedly meeting people.

Memory Tips

To remember the various uses of ‘come across’, visualize these scenarios:

1. For finding something by chance: Imagine yourself walking and suddenly coming across (stumbling upon) a treasure chest.
2. For appearing a certain way: Picture yourself crossing a stage (coming across) to an audience, focusing on the impression you make.
3. For communicating effectively: Visualize your words crossing a bridge to reach your listener.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using ‘come across’ as a separable phrasal verb.
   Correct: “I came across the information.” Not “I came the information across.”

2. Mistake: Using ‘come across’ in very formal writing.
   Solution: In academic essays, opt for more formal alternatives like ‘encounter’ or ‘discover’.

3. Mistake: Confusing ‘come across’ with ‘cross’.
   Correct: “I came across an interesting fact.” Not “I crossed an interesting fact.”

4. Mistake: Using the wrong tense.
   Solution: Use ‘came across’ for past events and ‘come across’ for present or future situations.

Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb ‘come across’ can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in the Speaking test. Its versatility allows you to express ideas about chance encounters, personal impressions, and effective communication. Remember to practice using it in various contexts and tenses to become more comfortable with its application. By incorporating ‘come across’ and related phrasal verbs into your language repertoire, you’ll demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency, potentially boosting your IELTS score.

For more tips on improving your IELTS performance, check out our articles on addressing income inequality through taxation and the impact of automation on low-income jobs. These topics can provide valuable content for your IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks while expanding your vocabulary and understanding of complex issues.