Idiom
When it comes to
What does 'when it comes to' mean?
'When it comes to' means 'about this particular subject'. You name the subject and then say something about it. For example: 'When it comes to sewing, I need help.'
Key points
- Use 'when it comes to' to establish a specific topic before making a comment.
- Remember that 'to' connects to nouns and -ing forms, 'it comes' never changes for plural topics, and the phrase fits comfortably into everyday conversation and practical writing.
- Follow 'to' with a noun phrase, an object pronoun, or an -ing verb form because 'to' functions as a preposition here.
Can you use "When it comes to" yourself?
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Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
Watch & learn
When It Comes To: Make Your Topic Clear in Conversation
Listen to Maya and Ben use “when it comes to” while planning dinner and choosing a desk. Open the lesson tab and try the speaking prompt with a topic from your own life.
Line 1 of 3 · Guide
, we'll use “when it comes to” to of a we're .
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Examples
When it comes to sewing, I need help.
Why it works: Uses an -ing verb form after the preposition to specify the exact activity.
2 more examples
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Marcus is dependable when it comes to electrical repairs.
Attaches a noun phrase at the end of the sentence to limit his dependability to one area.
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When it comes to them, our team always asks for extra advice.
Employs an object pronoun referring back to a previously mentioned group of tasks.
Read the full guide
Name the topic of your comment
When it comes to means 'about this particular subject'. You name the subject and then say something about it. For example: When it comes to sewing, I need help. Learners sometimes wonder if the phrase indicates an arrival time or physical movement toward an object. It does not. The verb form functions as an established idiom that points your listener toward one specific area before you share an opinion, describe a skill, or point out a limitation.
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When it comes to home maintenance, David does the work himself.
Why it works: Introduces home maintenance as the exact area of discussion.
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She feels nervous when it comes to public speaking.
Why it works: Limits her nervousness specifically to public speaking.
Your turn
What does 'when it comes to' do in a statement?
Answer: It identifies the specific topic that your comment concerns.
Show the answer
Answer: It identifies the specific topic that your comment concerns.
The expression isolates a particular topic or skill so you can say something specific about it.
Assign tasks based on specific strengths
Imagine you are volunteering at a neighbourhood repair event on Saturday morning. You can welcome visitors and record item descriptions easily, but when someone brings in a broken bicycle, you need to explain where your expertise stops. A natural conversation between organizers illustrates how the phrase defines responsibilities: 'I can manage the welcome desk all morning, but when it comes to fixing gears, I need Marco. He is truly /idioms/in-your-element/ around mechanical parts.' Notice how the speaker contrasts general helpfulness with a specific technical task.
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I can set up the tables, but when it comes to electrical wiring, we need an expert.
Why it works: Contrasts general physical setup with electrical skills.
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When it comes to welcoming nervous visitors, Priya never runs out of warmth.
Why it works: Highlights Priya's particular strength in hospitality.
This also comes up in Touch a nerve and To get a word in edgeways.
Your turn
In the repair event context, why does the volunteer use 'when it comes to'?
Answer: To pinpoint the exact skill where they require someone else's help.
Show the answer
Answer: To pinpoint the exact skill where they require someone else's help.
The volunteer uses the phrase to isolate gear repair as the specific area needing assistance.
Select the right word shape after to
The word following to can take three common shapes: a noun phrase, an object pronoun, or an -ing verb form. You might begin with a noun: 'when it comes to bicycles'. If the noun was already mentioned, you can use a pronoun: 'when it comes to them'. If you want to describe an action, use the -ing form: 'when it comes to repairing bicycles'. Here, to acts as a preposition that links the phrase to a topic, not as an infinitive marker. For more on this distinction, review /grammar/gerunds-and-infinitives-1-stop-try-remember-need/.
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When it comes to appliances, Marcus knows every model.
Why it works: Followed by a simple noun phrase.
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When it comes to replacing gears, Marcus works quickly.
Why it works: Followed by an -ing verb form to describe an action.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the correct verb form after 'when it comes to'?
Answer: When it comes to assembling wooden frames, we need clamps.
Show the answer
Answer: When it comes to assembling wooden frames, we need clamps.
Because 'to' is a preposition here, any following action must appear as an -ing form.
Decide where to place the topic phrase
You can place 'when it comes to' at the beginning of your sentence or attach it to the end. Compare these two patterns: 'When it comes to sewing, I need help' and 'She is patient when it comes to teaching beginners'. Notice the punctuation rule: use a comma after the opening topic phrase to signal where the topic ends and the main comment begins. When you place the phrase at the end, omit the comma because the topic connects smoothly to the predicate. Remember that the phrase alone is not a complete sentence; it must connect to a main clause.
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When it comes to woodworking, Ken takes his time.
Why it works: Topic placed first with a following comma.
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Ken takes his time when it comes to woodworking.
Why it works: Topic placed at the end without a comma.
Your turn
Where should you place a comma when 'when it comes to' opens a sentence?
Answer: Directly after the complete introductory topic phrase.
Show the answer
Answer: Directly after the complete introductory topic phrase.
A comma separates the opening prepositional topic chunk from the main subject and verb.
Protect the fixed subject and verb form
A frequent error among learners is trying to adjust the phrase to match the plural noun that follows. For example, a learner might say 'when they come to bicycles' or 'when it come to bicycles'. Both forms are incorrect. In this idiom, the pronoun it is fixed, and the verb comes remains third-person singular present. Even if your topic consists of plural items such as computers, engines, or budget figures, the introductory formula never changes: write 'when it comes to computers'.
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When it comes to smartphones, battery life is essential.
Why it works: Plural noun follows 'comes to', but 'it comes' remains singular.
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Our workshop is cautious when it comes to sharp tools.
Why it works: The fixed verb 'comes' stays singular before plural 'tools'.
Your turn
Which sentence avoids the common agreement error?
Answer: When it comes to bicycles, we let Marco handle the repairs.
Show the answer
Answer: When it comes to bicycles, we let Marco handle the repairs.
The expression always keeps the fixed third-person singular structure 'when it comes to'.
Match the tone for speaking and messages
Learners sometimes ask whether 'when it comes to' is informal slang or acceptable at work. It is an everyday idiom suitable for spoken discussions, team meetings, and professional correspondence. You can comfortably write it in a project email to state whether your current work is /idioms/up-to-scratch/. The phrase is not forbidden in formal writing, but concise single-word prepositions like regarding or concerning are often preferred in legal agreements, research summaries, or highly formal executive memos where brevity is valued.
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When it comes to project milestones, our team remains on schedule.
Why it works: Professional yet conversational tone in an email.
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Regarding project milestones, our team remains on schedule.
Why it works: More formal alternative using a single preposition.
Your turn
How should you treat 'when it comes to' in everyday workplace communication?
Answer: Use it naturally in emails, chats, and spoken meetings.
Show the answer
Answer: Use it naturally in emails, chats, and spoken meetings.
The expression is widely accepted in conversational and professional English, including work emails.
Catch the connected sounds in speech
In fast speech, native speakers pronounce 'when it comes to' as a connected rhythmic chunk. Notice two phonetic details. First, the verb comes ends with a voiced /z/ sound that connects toward the next consonant. Second, the preposition to rarely receives full stress; speakers usually pronounce it with a weak vowel as /tə/. Because this vowel is brief, listeners who do not know the pattern might mishear the phrase or mistakenly write 'too'. Recognizing the grammatical chunk helps you decode natural spoken English even when words blur together.
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When it comes to safety, nobody cuts corners.
Why it works: Pronounced with a voiced /z/ on 'comes' and a weak /tə/ on 'to'.
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He never rushes when it comes to inspecting brakes.
Why it works: The weak /tə/ links directly into the vowel of 'inspecting'.
Your turn
How is the word 'to' typically pronounced inside this phrase in spoken English?
Answer: With a weak, reduced vowel sounding like /tə/.
Show the answer
Answer: With a weak, reduced vowel sounding like /tə/.
In fluent speech, function words like 'to' are unstressed and reduce to a weak schwa sound /tə/.
Apply the structure to your own abilities
Testing your recall in progressive stages cements the structure in memory. First, complete the missing chunk in your head: 'She is confident ______ ______ ______ organizing records.' The answer is 'when it comes to'. Second, spot and fix the verb error: 'When it comes to repair sewing machines, Marco helps.' The correct phrasing is 'repairing'. Third, write an original sentence about yourself. A strong response names an activity with an -ing form or noun, maintains the fixed subject and verb, and offers a clear observation.
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When it comes to baking bread, I follow the recipe strictly.
Why it works: Original personal sentence using an -ing verb and clear main clause.
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My sister is fearless when it comes to learning new software.
Why it works: Personal evaluation placed naturally at the end.
Your turn
What error appears in this draft: 'When it comes to fix broken chairs, Liam brings his drill'?
Answer: The verb 'fix' should be the -ing form 'fixing'.
Show the answer
Answer: The verb 'fix' should be the -ing form 'fixing'.
Prepositions require a noun or gerund; 'to' here must be followed by 'fixing'.
Use it naturally
How people really use “when it comes to”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- when it comes to moneyI'm usually careful when it comes to money.
- when it comes to choosingWe have different priorities when it comes to choosing a hotel.
- when it comes to safetyOur coach has strict rules when it comes to safety.
- when it comes to cookingMy brother is very creative when it comes to cooking.
What people also say
- “When it comes to food, I'm pretty flexible.” instead of “Regarding the subject of food, I'm pretty flexible.”The first version sounds more relaxed in conversation.
Questions about "When it comes to"
What does 'when it comes to' mean?
It means 'about' or 'on the subject of' a specific topic. You use it to narrow your focus to one particular item, skill, or situation before making an observation or expressing an opinion about it.
When it comes to cooking, my brother has great patience.
Why do we say 'when it comes to repairing' instead of 'when it comes to repair'?
In this fixed expression, 'to' functions as a preposition pointing to a topic, not as part of an infinitive verb like 'to run' or 'to repair'. Prepositions in English link to noun phrases, so any action word following them must take the -ing form.
When it comes to fixing bicycles, Clara is our best volunteer.
Do I still use 'comes' before a plural word?
Yes. The grammatical subject is the impersonal pronoun 'it', not the noun that follows 'to'. Because 'it' is third-person singular, the verb remains 'comes' even when you discuss plural topics like tools, engines, or regulations.
When it comes to power tools, safety always comes first.
Can I put 'when it comes to' at the end of a sentence?
Yes, you can place the phrase at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. Starting with the phrase sets the topic first, while putting it at the end integrates it into your main statement without changing the fundamental meaning.
Liam is very cautious when it comes to signing contracts.
Do I need a comma with 'when it comes to'?
When the phrase opens the sentence, you place a comma right after the topic phrase to separate it from the main clause. When the phrase appears at the end of the sentence, you normally omit the comma because the phrase connects directly to the predicate.
When it comes to gardening, Marcus knows every plant.
Marcus knows every plant when it comes to gardening.
Can I use 'when it comes to' in a work email?
Yes, the phrase is common and completely natural in professional emails, team updates, and spoken meetings. It sounds conversational yet polite. In formal legal contracts or academic research papers, writers often choose concise alternatives such as 'regarding' or 'concerning'.
When it comes to the project timeline, we remain ahead of schedule.
Before you go
Remember this
Use 'when it comes to' to establish a specific topic before making a comment. Remember that 'to' connects to nouns and -ing forms, 'it comes' never changes for plural topics, and the phrase fits comfortably into everyday conversation and practical writing.
Stage 2 of 5
Listen
Hear it in real sentences, from short to long, and write what you hear.
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Listening 1 of 4
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0:00
- Marcus is dependable when it comes to electrical repairs.
- When it comes to them, our team always asks for extra advice.
Read the transcript
When it comes to electronics, Marcus always asks questions.
Notice how 'electronics' acts as a noun topic immediately following the preposition 'to'.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "Whe-nit": the n links directly into the vowel in "it."
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "Whe-nit": the n links directly into the vowel in "it."
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "Whe-nit": the n links directly into the vowel in "it."
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- Marcus is dependable when it comes to electrical repairs.
- When it comes to them, our team always asks for extra advice.
Read the transcript
Elena is patient when it comes to organizing files.
The expression is placed at the end of the sentence, followed by the gerund 'organizing'.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "i(t) comes": the t in "it" may drop out as the speaker moves into "comes."
- In American English this t sounds like a quick, soft d.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "i(t) comes": the t in "it" may drop out as the speaker moves into "comes."
- listen for "tuh": "to" is short and relaxed before "organizing files."
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "i(t) comes": the t in "it" may drop out as the speaker moves into "comes."
- In American English this t sounds like a quick, soft d.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- Marcus is dependable when it comes to electrical repairs.
- When it comes to them, our team always asks for extra advice.
Read the transcript
Our team shares tools willingly, but when it comes to electrical repairs, we call an outside specialist.
The target phrase opens the second clause after 'but' and specifies the exact topic of electrical repairs.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "whe-nit": "when" and "it" flow together.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "whe-nit": "when" and "it" flow together.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "whe-nit": "when" and "it" flow together.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
- Marcus is dependable when it comes to electrical repairs.
- When it comes to them, our team always asks for extra advice.
Read the transcript
Community repair tables bring neighbors together across different projects. I can fix wooden chairs or mend simple canvas bags without hesitation. However, when it comes to intricate clocks, my knowledge runs dry quickly. Fortunately, Clara possesses superb technical training, so she explains each mechanism clearly while I register incoming visitors.
The expression narrows the speaker's general repair skills down to the specific challenge of delicate clocks.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "whe-nit": the two words connect smoothly without a pause.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "whe-nit": the two words connect smoothly without a pause.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "whe-nit": the two words connect smoothly without a pause.
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Save my progressStage 3 of 5
Speak
Say it with the speaker, then use it in your own answer.
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Say it along with the speaker
When it comes to electronics, Marcus always asks questions.
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Your turn
Say it your way
Speak for 30 to 60 seconds from memory. Your family is choosing a hotel for a beach vacation. Explain what matters most about its location, rooms, and food, and suggest one feature you could give up to save money.
Use: when it comes to
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0:00
Hear how someone else might say it
For our family vacation, I think location matters most. A hotel should be close enough to the beach that we can walk there with our bags. However, when it comes to rooms, we don't need anything fancy. Comfortable beds and enough space for everyone would be fine. I'd also like breakfast to be included because finding a restaurant every morning can take time. We could give up a swimming pool to save money. We'll have the ocean nearby anyway, so I'd rather spend that money on a boat trip together.
Try once more and answer this: How close would you like to be to the beach?
Stage 4 of 5
Write
Write about your own day or week using it, then write a message.
Write
Put it in your own words
- I used “when it comes to”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
Write your own response
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