English Reference

Phrasal verb

come into sth

Definition

phrasal verb. To get money or property from someone after they die. This is also called inheriting.

phrasal verb. To receive money, property, or a title by inheritance. This is a transitive and inseparable phrasal verb.

Examples

“She came into a small fortune.”

“After his grandfather passed away, he came into enough money to buy a house.”

“Upon the death of the reclusive duke, the young man unexpectedly came into a vast estate and a title he was unprepared for.”

Examples

simple

“She came into a small fortune.”

contextual

“After his grandfather passed away, he came into enough money to buy a house.”

complex

“Upon the death of the reclusive duke, the young man unexpectedly came into a vast estate and a title he was unprepared for.”

Usage

The object is almost always a form of wealth or property, like 'money', 'a fortune', or 'an estate'.

Teaching tip

Contrast 'come into' (to receive an inheritance) with 'go into' (to enter a profession or state), as learners may confuse the prepositions.

Pitfall

He came to a lot of money.

He came into a lot of money.

The correct particle is 'into', not 'to', for the meaning of 'inherit'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

into

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

come + into + object

Synonyms

Antonyms

losebe disinheritedgive away

Grammar

This entry

Level
A1 · Beginner
Updated

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English Reference