it came in handy vs came in handy

Both "it came in handy" and "came in handy" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "It came in handy" is a complete sentence where "it" refers to something specific that was useful. On the other hand, "came in handy" is a phrase that can be used in a sentence where the subject is understood or implied.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 2917 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It refers to something specific that was useful in a given situation.

"it came in handy"

This phrase is used when you want to express that something was useful or helpful in a particular situation. The pronoun 'it' refers to the specific thing that was helpful.

Examples:

I brought an umbrella, and it came in handy when it started raining.
She always carries a first aid kit, and it came in handy when someone got injured.
The extra batteries I packed came in handy when the power went out.
The map you gave me really came in handy during the trip.
The flashlight came in handy when the lights went out.

Show examples from the web [+]

Believe you me it came in handy. srdc.org. srdc.org. Croyez-moi, ça tombe bien. srdc.org. srdc.org. India's generic. [...] or cheap "intelligent" drugs also came in ...
Windows XP might be dead but it came in handy this weekend. Submitted by charm on Mon, 01/18/2016 - 10:57. Windows XP. As far as Microsoft is concerned ...
Mr. Boren, who works for Google, was chided for having a Google phone, but it came in handy because he could bring up a road map of the area and see which ...
Mar 11, 2006 ... Just wanted to thank you for the defenition, it came in handy. Posted by: Errol Rojas | July 24, 2007 at 07:55 AM. Gina. I, too, have always seen ...

Alternatives:

it was useful
it was helpful
it proved to be beneficial
it was advantageous
it was convenient

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is a shorter version of the complete sentence "it came in handy" and can be used when the subject is understood or implied.

"came in handy"

This phrase is used to indicate that something was useful or helpful in a particular situation. It can be used in a sentence where the subject is clear from the context.

Examples:

The tools came in handy when we needed to fix the car.
The extra food supplies came in handy during the camping trip.
His experience in marketing came in handy for the new project.
The information you provided really came in handy for my presentation.
The spare key came in handy when I locked myself out.

Show examples from the web [+]

Verb: come in handy. Be useful for a certain purpose. Derived forms: came in handy, comes in handy, come in handy, coming in handy. Type of: be. Nearest.
For example: It's a good thing you took those extra clothes. They came in handy after I fell in the river. You should always take a pocket knife. It's amazing how ...
There was enough room in the closets and dresser to keep it all available – which came in handy with the weather changes. A cheap and handy edition of the ...
that jail full of Indians sure came in handy. The jailer would even call in sick for you and tell you which mines were hiring Indians. The unions didn't have much of ...

Alternatives:

proved useful
was helpful
was advantageous
was beneficial
was convenient

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

it came in handy vs came in handy

"it came in handy"

"came in handy"

Related Comparisons

2. Submit Your Text

3. Receive Your Polished Text