come about
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to happen or take place, especially when you did not plan for it.
phrasal verb. to happen or occur; often used to describe the genesis or development of a situation or event.
How did this change come about?
The opportunity to work in Japan came about through a chance meeting at a conference.
Historians are still debating how such a radical shift in public opinion could have come about in such a short period of time.
- happen
- occur
- transpire
- take place
- Particles
- about
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- subject + come + about
intransitive; it does not take a direct object.
contrast with 'happen' by explaining that 'come about' often implies a process or a series of events led to the result.
How did the accident come about it?How did the accident come about?this phrasal verb is intransitive and cannot take an object.
Last updated April 24, 2026