Come across means to find something or meet someone by chance. In the second meaning, with as, it describes the impression a person makes: She comes across as confident means that she seems confident to other people.
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come across + noun (article, word, photo, person); come across as + adjective/noun
- I came across an old photo of my school class while I was tidying my room.
- If you come across a new word in an article, write down the whole sentence.
- In the interview she came across as calm and well prepared.
What changed
First versionI came across on an interesting article about sleep and memory.
RevisionI came across an interesting article about sleep and memory.
It is easy to add on after come across, but across already works as the preposition, and the object follows it directly: came across an article. The extra on was removed.
The second meaning needs as: She comes across as confident. Without as, you get the first meaning: I came across her blog, that is, I found her blog by chance.
Your turn
We weren't searching for anywhere special to eat; we just ___ this little café while walking around the old town.
Show the answer
came across — They found the café by chance while walking, and a chance discovery is came across. Looked for means searched for, which contradicts the start of the sentence: they weren't looking for anywhere special.
Think of something useful you found by chance online, in a book or on a trip. Write what it was and where you found it.
Last month I came across a free grammar podcast on YouTube, and now I listen to it on my way to work.
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