What Does “Come down sth” Mean?
“Come down sth” is a phrasal verb that means to descend or move from a higher position to a lower one, often referring to physical movement down something like stairs or a slope.
Introduction
The phrase “Come down sth” is commonly used when talking about moving down a physical object such as stairs, hills, or ladders. Understanding the come down sth meaning helps learners describe actions involving descending or lowering themselves or something else. It is often used in everyday conversations and writing to describe movement from a higher place to a lower one. This phrasal verb is straightforward but important for clear communication, especially when giving directions or describing events.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: come down something
- Type: Intransitive (usually with an object)
- Level: A2–B1
- Short meaning: To move or fall from a higher place to a lower one
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb “come down sth” is usually inseparable, meaning the object (something) comes after the verb without splitting it.
Pattern:
- Come down + noun (stairs, hill, ladder, etc.)
Example: She came down the stairs quickly.
How to Use “Come down sth”?
Use “come down sth” to describe someone or something moving downward along a physical object. It often refers to walking down stairs, climbing down a hill, or descending a ladder. It can also describe objects falling or moving downward.
Example contexts include:
- Describing movement in a building (stairs, escalator)
- Describing outdoor movement (hill, slope)
- Describing objects falling or sliding down
Examples
- He came down the ladder carefully after fixing the roof.
- The children came down the hill laughing loudly.
- She came down the stairs with a cup of coffee.
- Look out! The ball is coming down the slope fast.
- We came down the escalator to reach the subway platform.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She came down on the stairs.
Correct: She came down the stairs. - Incorrect: They come down from the hill.
Correct: They come down the hill. - Incorrect: He came down in the ladder.
Correct: He came down the ladder.
Remember, use the with the object, not on or in.
Differences / Synonyms
Come down sth vs. Go down sth
Both mean to move downward, but “come” suggests movement toward the speaker’s location, while “go” suggests movement away from the speaker.
Come down sth vs. Climb down sth
“Climb down” emphasizes careful or slow movement down, often on difficult surfaces, whereas “come down” is more general.
Common Collocations
- Come down the stairs
- Come down the hill
- Come down the ladder
- Come down the slope
- Come down the escalator
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of come down sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Are you coming down the stairs now?
Ben: Yes, I’m just coming down the stairs. Wait for me at the door.
Anna: Okay! Be careful when you come down the stairs.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) She came down on the stairs.
- B) She came down the stairs.
- C) She came down in the stairs.
Answer: B) She came down the stairs.
FAQs
- Q: Can “come down” be used without an object?
A: Yes, but “come down sth” specifically requires an object like stairs or hill. - Q: Is “come down the stairs” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can “come down” mean to reduce in price or level?
A: Yes, but that meaning does not use “come down sth”. - Q: What preposition do I use with “come down”?
A: Use “the” before the noun (stairs, hill), not “on” or “in”. - Q: Is “come down” separable?
A: No, the object follows the verb directly.
