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come along — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings
  1. 1 go somewhere with someoneto go somewhere with someone, often when they invite you or as part of a group.
  2. 2 make progressto make progress or develop in a positive way.

All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

go somewhere with someone

B1come along with sbspokenMost common

to go somewhere with someone, often when they invite you or as part of a group.

We're going to the park later—do you want to come along?

A: I'm heading to the new café after work. Want to come along?
B: Sure, I'd love to!

If I have to attend a social event, I usually ask a friend to come along so I don't feel awkward.

Common mistake

Do you want to come along with to the cinema?

Do you want to come along to the cinema? / ...come along with us?

'Come along' alone, or 'come along WITH us' — don't leave 'with' dangling.

Tell it apart

Come along with us tonight.

join us

Come round to mine tonight.

come to my place
Use 'come along' when you want to invite someone to join you or when you join someone else.'Come along' is about joining someone, while 'come on' is usually used to encourage or urge.

Often paired with

come along (to)
2

make progress

B2come alongspoken

to make progress or develop in a positive way.

My English is really coming along since I started taking extra classes.

A: How's your new app coming along?
B: It's going well—we should finish it next month.

The construction of the new library is coming along much faster than expected, which is great for the community.

Common mistake

How is your thesis coming along with?

How is your thesis coming along?

'Come along' stands alone here — no 'with'.

Tell it apart

The garden's coming along nicely.

making good progress

The garden's coming up nicely.

the plants are sprouting
Use this sense to talk about how something is developing, like a project or a skill.'Come along' here is about improvement, not about physically going somewhere.

Often paired with

come along (nicely)

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