What Does โCome on sbโ Mean?
โCome on sbโ is a phrasal verb that means to happen to someone, especially something unpleasant or unexpected.
Introduction
The phrase โcome on sbโ is often used in English to describe events or feelings that suddenly affect a person. The โsbโ stands for somebody, which means the verb is about something happening to a person. Understanding the โcome on sb meaningโ 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 โcome on sbโ 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)
โCome on sbโ 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 โcomeโ and โon.โ
How to Use โCome on sbโ?
You use โcome on sbโ 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 (โcame onโ) 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 โstart to feelโ 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 โset in,โ โstrike,โ and โhit.โ However, โcome on sbโ often refers to a gradual or sudden start of a condition or feeling, while โstrikeโ or โhitโ 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 donโt feel great. A headache came on me this morning.
Anna: Maybe you should rest. Sometimes headaches come on suddenly.
Ben: Yeah, I think Iโll 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 โcome on sbโ be used for positive feelings?
A: Yes, but it is mostly used for unpleasant or unexpected feelings or conditions. - Q: Is โcome on sbโ formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I use โcome onโ without โsbโ?
A: Yes, but the meaning changes. โCome onโ alone can mean encouraging someone. - Q: What tenses can I use with โcome on sbโ?
A: You can use all tenses, but past tense (โcame onโ) is very common. - Q: Is โcome on sbโ separable?
A: No, you cannot separate โcomeโ and โonโ in this phrase.
