come to

To reach a particular stage, result, or state.

• The meeting came to an end.
• We finally came to an agreement.
• The bus came to a sudden halt.

How to use it: come to a state/result (The two sides came to an agreement.)

Similar words: reach, arrive at

Common phrases: come to an end, come to an agreement, come to a halt, come to a conclusion

To have a particular total cost or amount.

• The bill comes to ten pounds.
• How much did the groceries come to?
• Our expenses came to more than we expected.

How to use it: come to an amount (The repairs came to two hundred euros.)

Similar words: amount to, total

Common phrases: come to something, come to ten dollars

To become awake and aware again after fainting or being unconscious.

• He came to on the floor.
• She slowly came to after the operation.
• When I came to, a nurse was beside me.

Similar words: regain consciousness, come round

Opposites: pass out

Common phrases: come to slowly, come to again

To ask someone for help, support, or advice.

• You can always come to me.
• She came to us for help with her rent.
• Why did you not come to your teacher sooner?

How to use it: come to someone for something (She came to me for advice.); come to someone with something (He came to his teacher with a problem.)

Similar words: turn to, approach

Common phrases: come to someone, come to someone first

To start discussing or dealing with something when its turn arrives.

• I will come to that later.
• We came to the final question after a short break.
• Before we come to costs, let us discuss the design.

How to use it: come to something (We will come to the budget after lunch.)

Similar words: get to, turn to, address

Common phrases: come to something, come to that later

To happen to someone, especially something bad.

• No harm will come to you.
• Good things came to her later in life.
• He feared that trouble would come to his family.

How to use it: something comes to someone (No harm came to the children.)

Similar words: befall, happen to

Common phrases: come to someone, come to no harm