What Does "when it comes to" Mean?
- Grammatical function: This expression acts as a compound preposition or a discourse marker. It functions to establish a topical focus, signaling to the reader or listener that the speaker is narrowing the scope of the conversation to a specific subject.
- Typical sentence position: It is highly flexible and can appear in the initial position (to set the stage), medial position (as a parenthetical or clarifying remark), or final position (to add a specific detail).
- Register: The phrase is generally neutral. It is equally common in spoken conversation, journalism, and business writing, though it may be replaced by more formal alternatives in strictly academic or legal contexts.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: The most critical rule is that the word "to" in this expression is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. Therefore, it must be followed by a noun phrase, a pronoun, or a gerund (-ing form). It is often preceded by an independent clause or an adverb of emphasis like "especially" or "particularly."
- Punctuation rules: When the phrase starts a sentence, it is usually followed by a comma to separate the introductory element from the main clause. In the middle of a sentence, it may be set off by commas if it acts as an aside.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can be easily moved within a sentence without changing the core meaning. It can also be negated (e.g., "Not when it comes to...") or modified by adverbs for emphasis.
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Following the phrase with a base-form verb (e.g., "when it comes to eat") is a major grammatical error. Additionally, overusing it in a single paragraph can make writing feel repetitive and "wordy."
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from when it comes to on Ludwig.guru.
"RACE matters when it comes to wealth." — economist.com
"When it comes to Facebook, video rules." — cornell.edu
"Culture matters when it comes to science." — mitsloanexperts.mit.edu
"Especially when it comes to real estate." — nytimes.com
"Nobody agrees when it comes to metal." — newyorker.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/when+it+comes+to
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
Depending on the level of formality or the specific situation, you might want to vary your language.
| Phrase |
Context |
| regarding |
More formal and concise; ideal for professional emails and reports. |
| as for |
Used to shift focus to a new topic, often implying a contrast with a previous topic. |
| with respect to |
Highly formal; common in legal, technical, or academic writing. |
| in terms of |
Focuses on a specific aspect or measurement of a broader subject. |
| concerning |
A formal alternative often used in the heading or introduction of a document. |
Common Mistakes
- Wrong Verb Form: Learners often mistakenly follow the 'to' with an infinitive verb instead of a gerund or noun phrase (e.g., saying 'when it comes to cook' instead of 'when it comes to cooking').
- Redundancy: Using the phrase alongside other topical markers like "Regarding... when it comes to..." creates unnecessary clutter.
- Punctuation Neglect: Failing to use a comma when the phrase starts a long sentence can lead to reader confusion regarding where the main subject begins.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| when it comes to |
Introduces a specific topic or focus |
Neutral / Versatile |
Initial, Medial, or Final |
FAQs
Can when it comes to be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence?
The phrase when it comes to is highly versatile and can appear in sentence-initial, mid-clause, or sentence-final positions. When used at the start, it sets the topic for the entire statement, whereas in the middle or end, it clarifies a specific area of focus for the preceding action.
How does when it comes to differ from regarding?
While both terms introduce a topic, regarding is more formal and concise, making it a staple of business correspondence. In contrast, when it comes to is more idiomatic and common in conversational English, often carrying a slightly more emphatic tone.
Is it correct to use a base verb after the word to in this phrase?
No, this is a frequent error because the word to functions here as a preposition, not an infinitive marker. Learners often mistakenly follow the to with an infinitive verb instead of a gerund or noun phrase, so you must say "when it comes to singing" rather than "when it comes to sing."