Meaning trap
come across
seem or give an impression
To appear or be understood in a particular way by others.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To appear or be understood in a particular way by others.
Another meaning of 'come across' is 'find by chance'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- She comes across as very confident in interviews.communication
- I try to come across as friendly and open when meeting new people, especially in professional situations.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: come across (as) + adjective/noun
WrongHe comes across cold.
RightHe comes across as cold.
For impressions, you need 'as' + adjective/noun: 'come across as friendly'.
Patterncome across (as) + adjective/noun
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Come across as' is how people describe the impression someone gives; the formal version is bookish.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
come across as + impressionas confidentas rudeas genuineas nervous
Don't confuse it
Not about finding things, but about how someone seems to others.
Related
- come across (find by chance) — Another meaning of 'come across' is 'find by chance'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.