If I want to say “If I happen to (see/find) him, I will beat him up!”, can I use the “GET ACROSS” to express the same meaning?:
“If I happen to GET ACROSS him, I will beat him up!”
Or
If I want to say “You are so evil, I hope you (meet/have to deal with/happen to, or have to get involved with) many people just like you!”, can I use the “GET ACROSS” to express the same meaning?:
“You are so evil, I hope you COME ACROSS many people just like you!”
2006-12-29 12:17:24 · 9 answers · asked by f_vidigal 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I dont want to beat people up, it is just a question about the language itself.
2006-12-29 12:25:05 · update #1
I meant to write "COME across" not "GET across", my mistake.
2006-12-29 12:31:16 · update #2
1. No, you would say, "If I happen to come across him, I will beat him up".
Because you said "If I happen to" you're implying that you're not willingly going out looking for him. To "come across" something means it happened by chance.
2. You could say that... but we don't really use it. "You are so evil, I hope you meet many people just like you!" is more what we would say in that form.
We rarely use "get across" outside of going across bridges and other means related to traveling on purpose.
Example: "In order for me to meet with my girlfriend, I need to get across this bridge".
"Get across" = moving on purpose to something.
"Come across" = finding something on a whim.
2006-12-29 12:21:19 · answer #1 · answered by Belie 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I come across you again, I will beat you up.
You are so evil, I hope you come across many people just like yourself.
The first one is a threat, and could get you reported to the police, and would be evidence against you perhaps should you go through with the threat.
2006-12-29 20:22:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get across could also be used as in getting your point across during a discussion.
Will I ever be able to GET ACROSS my complex ideas?
Come across like others have said indicates happenstance. It can also be used to describe a person's demeanor or ability to communicate. Fred comes across well in his presentation of the sales material.
2006-12-29 21:37:12 · answer #3 · answered by plezurgui 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you could say, "If I happen to come across him, I'll beat him up."
2006-12-30 01:02:05 · answer #4 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use 'come across', or meet up with.
2006-12-29 21:17:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I happen across him...., If I happen to come across him...
I hope you encounter... just like yourself
2006-12-29 20:44:32 · answer #6 · answered by gpd9114u 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would use "come across". Or better yet, just say "When I see him again..." and "I hope you will meet..."
2006-12-29 20:22:54 · answer #7 · answered by Caly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Come across" is acceptable, not "get across", however.
2006-12-29 20:25:31 · answer #8 · answered by dopeadevil23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SORRY I'M JUST TERRIBLE WITH GRAMMAR IN ANY LANGUAGE
2006-12-29 22:28:24 · answer #9 · answered by ray 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋