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Meaning trap

come around

visit (someone's home)

to visit someone at their home, usually for a short time or social reason.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

visit (someone's home)

to visit someone at their home, usually for a short time or social reason.

come around (change opinion)

Another meaning of 'come around' is 'change opinion'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Why don't you come around for dinner tonight?daily life
  • If I have free time, I usually come around to my grandparents' house to check on them.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: come around (to + someone's place/house)

WrongCome around in my house at 7.

RightCome around to my house at 7.

Use 'come around to + place' (or just 'come around' / 'come round').

Patterncome around (to + someone's place/house)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Would you like to visit my residence this evening?

Natural Do you want to come around tonight?

'Visit my residence' is stiff; 'come around' (BrE) / 'come over' is the casual invite.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • come around + for/to
    for dinnerto minelaterfor a coffee

Don't confuse it

'Come over' is more common in American English with the same meaning.

Try it in Daily Speak →