What Does “Come of sth” Mean?
“Come of sth” means to result from or happen because of something. It is often used to talk about the outcome or consequence of an action or situation.
Introduction
The phrase “come of sth” is a useful expression in English that helps describe the result or effect of an event or action. When we say “come of something,” we are referring to what happens as a consequence or what develops from a particular situation. Understanding the “come of sth meaning” is important because it allows learners to explain outcomes clearly in everyday conversations and writing. This phrase is common in both spoken and written English, making it a valuable part of your vocabulary. Whether you want to talk about the success of a project, the result of a discussion, or what happened after an event, “come of sth” is the right phrase to use.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: come of something
- Type: intransitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to be the result or consequence of something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Come of sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning you cannot put words between “come” and “of”. It always follows this pattern:
- come of + noun/pronoun
Examples:
- Nothing good will come of this plan.
- What came of the meeting yesterday?
How to Use “Come of sth”?
You use “come of sth” when you want to talk about the outcome or result of an action, event, or situation. It often appears in negative or interrogative sentences to question or doubt the success or consequences. In positive statements, it describes what has happened as a direct result.
It is commonly used with words like “nothing,” “something,” or question words like “what” or “anything.”
Examples
- Nothing good will come of ignoring the problem.
- What came of the plans you had for the weekend?
- I’m not sure what will come of this new project.
- There was a lot of discussion, but nothing really came of it.
- Good things often come of hard work and patience.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: What did come of the meeting?
Correct: What came of the meeting? - Incorrect: Something comes of this plan.
Correct: Something will come of this plan. - Incorrect: Come of what the event?
Correct: What came of the event?
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “result from,” “happen because of,” and “arise from.” However, “come of sth” is more informal and often used in spoken English.
- Come of sth focuses on the outcome or consequence.
- Result from emphasizes the cause-effect relationship, often in formal contexts.
- Arise from is used mostly in formal writing to explain where something originates.
Example comparison:
- Nothing good will come of this decision. (informal, conversational)
- Problems result from poor communication. (formal)
- The issue arose from a misunderstanding. (formal)
Common Collocations
- come of a plan
- come of a discussion
- come of a decision
- come of an event
- come of an idea
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of come of sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did anything come of your meeting with the manager?
Ben: Not really. We talked a lot, but nothing concrete came of it.
Anna: That’s disappointing. I hope something positive comes of your next meeting.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) Nothing good will come of ignoring the problem.
- b) Nothing good will come from ignoring the problem.
- c) Nothing good comes of ignoring the problem.
(Answer: a and c are correct; b uses a different phrase)
Fill in the blank:
What _______ of your plan to start a new business?
- a) comes
- b) came
- c) come
(Answer: c) come
FAQs
- Q: Is “come of sth” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly informal and used in everyday English. - Q: Can I use “come of” in future tense?
A: Yes, you can say “will come of” to talk about future results. - Q: Is “come of” separable?
A: No, “come of” is an inseparable phrasal verb. - Q: What is the difference between “come of” and “result from”?
A: “Come of” is informal and focuses on outcomes, while “result from” is more formal and emphasizes causes. - Q: Can I use “come of” with any noun?
A: It is usually used with events, plans, actions, or situations.
