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

Differences between come down to and come to

Come down to usually means to be reduced to a particular thing or to be based on a specific factor, whereas come to generally means to regain consciousness or to reach a decision or agreement.

Meanings and Definitions: come down to vs come to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Come down to

• 1. To ultimately be determined by.

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

• 2. To be ultimately about or depend on.

  It all comes down to the problem with power.

• 3. To be reduced or simplified to.

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

Come to

• 1. Become conscious, wake up from anaesthetic.

  She CAME TO an hour after the operation.

• 2. Result in.

  The two men started arguing but they soon CAME TO blows and started fighting in earnest.

Usage Examples: come down to, come to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

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.

come to

Example

When will he come to after the surgery?

Example

She comes to quickly after fainting.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Come down to

boil down to

To be reduced to the most important or essential factor or issue.

Example

At the end of the day, the success of the project boils down to effective communication and collaboration among team members.

be based on

To have as a foundation or underlying principle.

Example

The company's culture and values are based on transparency, integrity, and respect for diversity.

depend on

To rely on or be influenced by a particular factor or circumstance.

Example

The outcome of the experiment depends on various variables such as temperature, pressure, and time.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Come to

regain consciousness

To become awake or aware again after being unconscious or asleep.

Example

After the surgery, it took her a few hours to regain consciousness and feel alert.

make up one's mind

To reach a decision or conclusion after considering different options or factors.

Example

After weighing the pros and cons, she finally made up her mind and chose the job offer that aligned with her career goals.

come to terms with

To accept or reconcile oneself to a difficult or unpleasant situation or reality.

Example

It took him a while to come to terms with the loss of his beloved pet and find comfort in happy memories.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “come”

• come together
• come forth
• come back
• come through
• come in for

Phrasal Verbs with “down to”

• strip down to
• go down to
• boil down to
• talk down to
• get down to

Phrasal Verbs with “to”

• grow to
• take to
• key to
• relate to
• bow to

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

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

In daily conversation, people use come to more often than come down to. This is because come to is used for more common situations such as waking up from sleep or making a decision. Come down to is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about the root cause of something or the final outcome. So, while both phrases are used, come to is more common in everyday conversation.

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

Come down to and come 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 to and come to

The tone of come down to and come to can differ based on context. Come down to often carries a serious or decisive tone when related to the root cause or final outcome of something, while come to typically has a more lighthearted or positive tone, especially when referring to regaining consciousness or reaching a decision or agreement.

come down to & come 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

• disregard
• ignore
• overlook
• deviate from
• diverge from
• stray from
• vary from

Come to

Synonyms

• recover
• reach
• regain consciousness
• wake up
• result in
• lead to
• arrive at

Antonyms

• faint
• collapse
• unravel
• deteriorate
• lose consciousness
• decline