come forward — offer information or help
phrasal verbB2IELTS 5.5+neutraloccasional
to offer to give information or help, especially when it is needed or asked for.
Say it like a native
Textbook Several witnesses volunteered to provide information to the police.
Native Several witnesses came forward.
'Come forward' is the standard verb for volunteering info to authorities; the paraphrase is wordy.
Pattern: come forward (with something) | come forward (to do something)
In use
- No one came forward with any information about the missing bag.communication
- In my opinion, more people should come forward to support community projects, because it helps everyone.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Witnesses came forward with to the police.
✓ Witnesses came forward with information. / Witnesses came forward to the police.
'Come forward WITH information' or 'come forward TO the police' — don't combine 'with to'.
Common collocations
come forward (with)— with information, as a witness, to report, voluntarily
Don't confuse it
'Come forward' is about volunteering, not just moving physically.