Phrasal Verb: Come Across / Look For

Come across and look for are two common English phrasal verbs related to finding things, but they describe very different situations. This lesson explains both clearly. Come across means to find something by chance, without actively searching for it, as in I came across an old photo in my drawer, describing an accidental discovery. Look for means to actively try to find something or someone, as in I'm looking for my keys, have you seen them, describing an intentional search. The key difference is intention: come across implies surprise and chance, while look for implies effort and purpose. Both are extremely common in everyday English and are useful for describing how you find things, whether by accident or through deliberate searching. Understanding this distinction will help you choose the right phrasal verb depending on the situation you're describing.