What Does “Come on sb” Mean?
“Come on sb” is a phrasal verb that means to happen to someone, especially something unpleasant or unexpected.
Introduction
The phrase “come on sb” is often used in English to describe events or feelings that suddenly affect a person. The “sb” stands for somebody, which means the verb is about something happening to a person. Understanding the “come on sb meaning” helps learners use it correctly in everyday speech. This phrase is common in both spoken and written English and can describe a range of situations, such as feeling sick, sudden emotions, or unexpected problems. Knowing how to use “come on sb” makes your English sound more natural and expressive.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: come on somebody (come on sb)
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To happen to someone, often suddenly or unexpectedly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Come on sb” is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it does not take a direct object after it. Instead, the person affected (sb) usually follows the verb. The structure is:
- Come on + somebody
Examples:
- A headache came on him suddenly.
- A feeling of sadness came on her.
The phrase is not separable, so you cannot place words between “come” and “on.”
How to Use “Come on sb”?
You use “come on sb” to talk about something that starts to affect someone, often without warning. It is commonly used with feelings, illnesses, or difficulties. It often appears in the past tense (“came on”) when describing something that happened.
Use it when you want to express that an experience or condition suddenly began for a person. It is more formal than saying “start to feel” but less formal than medical terms.
Examples
- Come on sb in a sentence: A cold came on him after the trip.
- Suddenly, a wave of tiredness came on her during the meeting.
- A feeling of panic came on him when he saw the accident.
- The flu came on the whole family last winter.
- After hours of work, exhaustion came on her quickly.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: The headache came on quickly him.
Correct: The headache came on him quickly. - Incorrect: She came on a cold yesterday.
Correct: A cold came on her yesterday. - Incorrect: Come on me the feeling of sadness.
Correct: A feeling of sadness came on me.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “set in,” “strike,” and “hit.” However, “come on sb” often refers to a gradual or sudden start of a condition or feeling, while “strike” or “hit” suggests something sudden and strong.
- Come on sb: gradual or sudden start (e.g., tiredness came on her).
- Strike sb: sudden and powerful (e.g., a storm struck the town).
- Set in: something that starts and lasts for a while (e.g., the cold weather set in).
Common Collocations
- Come on a headache
- Come on a cold
- Come on a feeling
- Come on tiredness
- Come on a disease
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of come on sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: You look tired today. Are you okay?
Ben: I don’t feel great. A headache came on me this morning.
Anna: Maybe you should rest. Sometimes headaches come on suddenly.
Ben: Yeah, I think I’ll take it easy today.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) A cold came on me last night.
- B) A cold came on quickly him last night.
- C) I came on a cold last night.
Answer: A) A cold came on me last night.
FAQs
- Q: Can “come on sb” be used for positive feelings?
A: Yes, but it is mostly used for unpleasant or unexpected feelings or conditions. - Q: Is “come on sb” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I use “come on” without “sb”?
A: Yes, but the meaning changes. “Come on” alone can mean encouraging someone. - Q: What tenses can I use with “come on sb”?
A: You can use all tenses, but past tense (“came on”) is very common. - Q: Is “come on sb” separable?
A: No, you cannot separate “come” and “on” in this phrase.
