What are the definitions of “come down with”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Fall ill.
She CAME DOWN WITH a virus.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “come down with”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb come down with is to start feeling sick or to become ill. It is often used when someone catches a cold, flu, or other illness.
What are the different verb forms of “come down with”?
| Root Verb | come down with |
| Third Person Singular Present | comes down with |
| Present Participle | coming down with |
| Simple Past | came down with |
| Past Participle | come down with |
Example
I think I'm coming down with a cold.
Example
She comes down with the flu every winter.
Example
He is coming down with a fever.
Example
Last week, they came down with a stomach bug.
Example
He had come down with a cold before the big presentation.
What kind of phrasal verb is “come down with”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“come down with” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
I came down with a cold last week.
Example
She came down with the flu during the holidays.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“come down with” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I came down with a cold last week.
Example
She came down with the flu during the holidays.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “come down with”?
Come down with a cold
To catch a cold or start feeling the symptoms of a cold.
Example
I think I'm coming down with a cold; I've been sneezing all day.
Come down with the flu
To catch the flu or start feeling the symptoms of the flu.
Example
She came down with the flu and had to stay in bed for a week.
Come down with a fever
To start feeling feverish or develop a fever.
Example
He came down with a fever and had to see a doctor.
Good things to know
Does “come down with” have an informal or formal tone?
Come down with is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, such as when discussing health issues with a medical professional.
