Phrasal verbs "come down" vs "come down to"

Differences between come down and come down to

Come down usually means to move from a higher position to a lower one, or to reduce in intensity, while come down to generally means to be reduced or simplified to a basic or essential point.

Meanings and Definitions: come down vs come down to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Come down

  • 1Rain.

    Just look at the rain COMING DOWN! I'm not going out in that.

  • 2Travel.

    When you're next in London, COME DOWN and see us.

Come down to

  • 1To ultimately be determined by.

    In the end, it all comes down to who wants the job the most.

  • 2To be ultimately about or depend on.

    It all comes down to the problem with power.

  • 3To be reduced or simplified to.

    This all makes sense when one realizes that the whole cholesterol problem probably comes down to a metabolic deficiency.

Usage Examples: come down, come down to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

come down

Example

The rain started to come down heavily.

Example

When the snow comes down, the roads become slippery.

come down to

Example

In the end, it all comes down to who wants the job the most.

Example

The decision comes down to the quality of their work.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Come down

To move from a higher position to a lower one.

Example

He had to descend the stairs carefully after injuring his ankle.

To become less agitated or upset.

Example

She needed to calm down after the argument with her friend.

To make something smaller or less in size, amount, or intensity.

Example

The company decided to reduce the number of employees to cut costs.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Come down to

To be reduced or simplified to a basic or essential point.

Example

The issue boils down to a lack of communication between the team members.

To be a question or issue that needs to be resolved or considered.

Example

The success of the project is a matter of careful planning and execution.

To be simplified or summarized to a basic or essential point.

Example

The novel is reduced to a story of love and loss in a war-torn country.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

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Differences in come down vs come down to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: come down or come down to?

In daily conversation, people use come down more often than come down to. This is because come down is used for more physical actions such as descending stairs or getting off a ladder. Come down to is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about the essential point of something. So, while both phrases are used, come down is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of come down and come down to

Come down and come down to are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of come down and come down to

The tone of come down and come down to can differ based on context. Come down often carries a physical or emotional tone when related to descending or calming down, while come down to typically has a logical and analytical tone, especially when referring to simplifying or reducing complex ideas.

come down & come down to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Come down to

Synonyms

  • depend on
  • hinge on
  • rest on
  • boil down to
  • amount to
  • be determined by
  • be decided by

Antonyms

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