What Does “Come after sb” Mean?
“Come after sb” means to follow someone, either physically or in terms of sequence, or to attack or criticize them. It is a common phrasal verb used in different contexts.
Introduction
The phrase come after sb is a useful English phrasal verb that often causes confusion among learners. It can mean to follow someone closely, either when moving or in a sequence, or it can mean to attack or confront someone, either physically or verbally. Understanding the come after sb meaning helps you use it correctly in conversations and writing. It appears in everyday speech, stories, and even news reports, so knowing how to use it will improve your English fluency and comprehension. This guide will explain the meaning, grammar, examples, and common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: come after somebody
- Type: transitive (requires an object)
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to follow or to attack someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Come after sb” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it always needs an object (somebody).
- It is inseparable: you cannot put the object between “come” and “after”.
- Correct pattern: come after + somebody
- Incorrect: come + somebody + after
How to Use “Come after sb”?
You use “come after sb” when you want to talk about someone following another person physically, like in a chase, or following them in order or sequence. It can also mean to attack or criticize someone, either verbally or physically.
For example:
- When talking about chasing: “The dog came after the cat.”
- When talking about sequence: “In the race, Sarah came after John.”
- When talking about attacking or confronting: “The manager came after the employee for missing the deadline.”
Examples
- The police came after the suspect quickly.
- She came after me in the queue at the store.
- After the meeting, the boss came after me with lots of questions.
- In the competition, he came after the winner by just a few points.
- The dog came after the thief when he tried to escape.
These examples show how “come after sb in a sentence” works in different situations.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: The dog came me after.
Correct: The dog came after me. - Incorrect: She came after.
Correct: She came after him/her. - Incorrect: They come after quickly.
Correct: They came after him quickly.
Differences / Synonyms
Come after sb vs go after sb:
- “Come after sb” usually implies following someone toward the speaker or in a sequence.
- “Go after sb” often means to chase or pursue someone actively, sometimes with intent to catch or attack.
Come after sb vs follow sb:
- “Follow sb” is more general and can mean walking behind someone or copying their actions.
- “Come after sb” is more specific about sequence or pursuit and often suggests a closer or more immediate following.
Common Collocations
- Come after someone
- Come after the winner
- Come after the thief
- Come after the leader
- Come after the target
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of come after sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Tom: Did you see the dog come after the kids?
Anna: Yes, it was scary, but luckily it stopped before reaching them.
Tom: I also heard the boss came after Sarah for being late to the meeting.
Anna: That’s true. She needs to be more careful next time.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “come after sb”:
- The police __________ the robber through the streets.
- In the competition, Lisa __________ the champion by only two points.
- The teacher came __________ the students who were late.
FAQs
- What does “come after sb” mean?
It means to follow someone or to attack or criticize them. - Is “come after sb” separable?
No, the object must come after the phrase without separation. - Can “come after sb” be used in formal writing?
Yes, especially when describing sequences or pursuing actions. - What is a synonym for “come after sb”?
“Go after sb” or “follow sb” can be synonyms depending on context. - How do I use “come after sb” in a sentence?
Place the object directly after “come after,” like “The dog came after him.”
