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come along

A2 neutral intransitive
In simple words

To go somewhere with someone; to show up; or to get better at something over time.

Literal meaning: Transparent in the accompaniment and arrival senses; the progress sense is mildly idiomatic.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To go somewhere with someone; to accompany a person.

"We're going to the market — do you want to come along?"

Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 idiomatic neutral

To make progress; to develop or improve.

"Your English is really coming along — you've improved so much this term."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral

To appear or arrive, especially by chance or at the right moment.

"Opportunities like this don't come along very often, so take it."

"A chance like this doesn't come along twice."

— Eminem, '8 Mile' (film, 2002)
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Three distinct senses, all very common. 'Come along!' as a command means 'hurry up' or 'join me'. 'How's the project coming along?' asks about progress. 'An opportunity came along' means something appeared. The 'hurry up' command is more British.

Commonly used with

nicely well opportunity chance perfect time invite

Forms

Base
come along
I/you/we/they
3rd person
comes along
he/she/it
Past simple
came along
yesterday
Past participle
come along
have + pp
-ing form
coming along
continuous

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