📓 "When it comes to..." — Introducing Your Point
A smooth, versatile phrase that lets you zoom in on a specific topic before making your statement. It's everywhere — in conversations, presentations, podcasts, and debates.
Spoken English · Linking Phrases🎯 Core Idea
"When it comes to..." is used to introduce a specific topic before making a point about it. It narrows the focus: "In this particular area, here's what I think / here's what happens." It works in both casual and formal contexts.
⚡ Two Structures
With a Noun
When it comes to + noun, ...
Introducing a topic area before your statement
"When it comes to cooking, nobody beats my mom."
→ Zooming in on "cooking" — then making a strong claim
With Verb-ing
When it comes to + verb-ing, ...
Focusing on a specific activity or skill
"When it comes to solving problems, she's the best on the team."
→ Specifically in the area of problem-solving — that's where she shines
🔍 "When it comes to" vs Direct Statement
"He's patient." → "When it comes to teaching, he's incredibly patient."
→ More specific — he might not be patient in general, but in teaching he is
"She knows a lot." → "When it comes to history, she knows more than anyone."
→ Narrowing the scope — not everything, but specifically history
"I'm careful." → "When it comes to money, I'm very careful."
→ Maybe you're not careful with everything — but with money, yes
💬 Real-Life Examples
Skills
"When it comes to public speaking, practice is everything."
→ Giving advice — narrowing focus to one specific skill
Preferences
"When it comes to coffee, I'm pretty picky."
→ "In general I'm easygoing, but coffee is different"
Relationships
"When it comes to trust, actions speak louder than words."
→ Sharing a principle — specifically about trust
Comparisons
"When it comes to design, Apple is hard to beat."
→ Specifically in design — maybe not in other areas
Self-description
"When it comes to directions, I'm hopeless."
→ Admitting a weakness — with humor and honesty
Opinion
"When it comes to raising kids, there's no perfect formula."
→ Sharing a broader perspective on a complex topic
💡 Similar Phrases You Can Use
"In terms of design, it's the best one."
→ Slightly more formal — common in work/academic contexts
"As far as cooking goes, she's amazing."
→ Casual alternative — same narrowing function
"Speaking of money, did you pay the rent?"
→ Different — this changes the topic, "when it comes to" stays on topic
💡 Key Takeaway
"When it comes to..." is your go-to phrase for narrowing focus before making a statement. It's natural, versatile, and works everywhere — from casual chats to formal discussions.
Think of it as a spotlight: you're pointing at one specific area and saying "in this particular thing, here's the deal."
Think of it as a spotlight: you're pointing at one specific area and saying "in this particular thing, here's the deal."