How to say “when it comes to” like a native speaker
Introduce the topic or area in which your statement applies. It means roughly “when we are talking about”.
All phrases · Workplace
Hear “when it comes to” in real speech
Clip 1 · Amy Cuddy
Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are | Amy Cuddy | TED · 7:44
About this video
Amy Cuddy discusses body language and the idea that posture may influence how people feel. She asks the audience to notice their own positions and describes experiments involving different postures.
In context
So it goes both ways.When it comes to power, it also goes both ways.
So when you feel powerful, you're more likely to do this,
Clip 2 · Malcolm Gladwell
The Tipping Point I Got Wrong | Malcolm Gladwell | TED · 10:10
About this video
Malcolm Gladwell revisits an explanation of crime that he gave in The Tipping Point. He starts with his memories of moving to New York in 1993 and discusses later expectations about crime and policing.
In context
even more dramatic crime fall.People still act like it's the year 2000 when it comes to making sense of New York.
You know, a whole bunch of very, very wealthy hedge fund guys have very loudly left New York for Miami in recent years.
Clip 3 · Adam Grant
Adam Grant: What frogs in hot water can teach us about thinking again | TED · 1:15
About this video
Adam Grant discusses why people resist rethinking their assumptions. He uses the familiar boiling-frog story to introduce the subject and describes how reconsidering his own identity opened up new possibilities.
In context
We're happy to refresh our wardrobes and renovate our kitchens.But when it comes to our goals, identities and habits, we tend to stick to our guns.
And in a rapidly changing world, that's a huge problem.
When to use “when it comes to”
- Describing someone's strength: “When it comes to fixing bikes, ask Sam.”
- Stating a preference: “When it comes to breakfast, I like something simple.”
Common learner mistake
Use a noun or an -ing form after “to” here: “when it comes to cooking”, not “when it comes to cook”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “when it comes to”
Link “when” into “it”. “Comes” ends in a voiced Z, and “to” is usually weak before the next word.
Related phrases
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A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
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