student asking question

What's the difference between "coming up to [something]" and "coming to [something]"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Coming up to something" uses the phrasal verb "come up", which means to approach or come closer to something. It implies that you are approaching the place to which you are going. "Coming to something" means that you have a set destination and are going to that thing or place. Ex: I am coming up to the shop. I'll meet you inside. => This means that you are about to arrive at the shop. = I am coming to the shop. I'll meet you inside. => This means that your destination is the shop. Ex: He came up to the window very slowly. => This means that he came closer to the window.

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