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Meaning trap

come in

enter (a place)

to enter a room or building, especially after being outside or after knocking.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

enter (a place)

to enter a room or building, especially after being outside or after knocking.

come in (become available or useful)

Another meaning of 'come in' is 'become available or useful'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • She knocked on the door and waited for someone to tell her to come in.daily life
  • If I arrive early for a job interview, I usually wait until someone asks me to come in before entering the office.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: come in (to somewhere)

WrongPlease come in to the room.

RightPlease come in. / Please come into the room.

Bare 'come in', or 'come INTO the room' — not 'come in to the room'.

Patterncome in (to somewhere)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff You may enter the room now.

Natural Come in!

'Come in' is the everyday invitation to enter; 'you may enter the room' is stiff and officious.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • come in
    pleaseand sit downout of the rainthrough here

Don't confuse it

'Go in' is used when the speaker is not inside the place.

Try it in Daily Speak →