Accepting a difficult situation

The idea

Use come to terms with before a noun or an -ing form. The verb changes with tense.

Examples

• The family came to terms with the loss.
• It took months to come to terms with the diagnosis.
• We are coming to terms with the closure of our library.
• The club has come to terms with its defeat.
• They are still coming to terms with leaving their home.
• The town slowly came to terms with the factory’s departure.

Watch out

Do not say come to term with: this expression uses plural terms.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the missing word. The team will eventually ___ to terms with the setback. (come / comes)

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   come

   come follows the modal in its base form.

2. Choose the missing word. The village ___ to terms with the mine closing last year. (came / comes)

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   came

   came places the acceptance in the past.

3. Choose the missing word. They are coming to terms ___ the sudden change. (with / for)

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   with

   with introduces the difficult change.

Use it today

Describe a fictional change that takes time to accept.