Come doing

Question

Hello, is it correct to say "come doing"? and does it have the same meaning of "come to do" ?Thank you in advance.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Can you write a few sentences with these phrases, to show us how you want to use them?

Clive

ESLBeginner · Answer

CliveHi,

Can you write a few sentences with these phrases, to show us how you want to use them?

Clive

Well thanks but I already forgot where I saw it... are there some people who would sometimes say "come doing sth." just like they say "come to do sth." ?

Avangi · Answer

I have come [here] doing the boss's bidding.
I have come [here] to do the boss's bidding.

The second one implies that the speaker has not yet begun his task.
In the first one, he's already on his mission.

MrPernickety · Answer

Hi, Avangi

How about this? Will it "hold up in court"?

Over the course of time that I knew John, I came to hate him bitterly

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Would you like to come dancing with me this evening? This sounds like I am intending to go, and I am inviting you to accompany me.

Clive

Avangi · Answer

I think the tango requires a partner.

Yes, Pernickety, we often arrive at a position, sometimes without going anywhere.
We arrive at / come to a decision.

I've come to rely on his advice.

I've come / grown to despise him.

<< Over the course of time that I knew John, I came to hate him bitterly >>

But you wouldn't recognize me if I didn't find some fault: I'd say that over the course of time that I knew John, I grew to hate him.

Would you say, "I left New York on Saturday. Over the course of the next three days I arrived at / came to Los Angeles." ??

We often say, "I spent a long time in reaching / coming to that conclusion," but the actual arriving is at the end of the journey.

I guess it's a little tricky. We say, "This has been coming for a long time."

I dunno. "Over the course of our friendship I came to trust his judgement." I guess it works.

A second opinion would be in order.

Best regards, - A.

MrPernickety · Answer

AvangiBut you wouldn't recognize me if I didn't find some fault: I'd say that over the course of time that I knew John, I grew to hate him.

Would you say, "I left New York on Saturday. Over the course of the next three days I arrived at / came to Los Angeles." ??
Thanks, Avangi

I see your point and agree with it. Come to think of it, "grow" would fit the context better, as "come" connotes instanteniousness, and on the other hand "grow" connotes continuity which is the case in my example.

I just need to learn to fly by the seat of my pants, like you do.

Avangi · Answer

I'll sign you up for Barnstormers Annonymous.

It's kind of a grey area. "Over the course" is a bit unforgiving.

"As I continue to work with this man, I'm coming to respect him." This clearly works. (continuous tense)

"While I was working with him, I came to respect him." This works. Maybe at some point I arrived at my position.

But "over the course of the semester, I came to understand etc." seems to suggest that the arrival was spread out. Still, I'm betting a lot of people would accept this usage.

Over the course / throughout the course seem to indicate the entire course. During the course, on the other hand, could indicate "at some time in the course."

Come doing

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