came to be born

[rainous]

That's how my first baby came to be born!!!

Hi,

Is the expression grammatical?

I was looking for a more colorful expression than "was born"
but I am not sure if it's OK to use it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Preceptor]

The sentence is grammatically correct and is, indeed, a more colorful way of saying 'was born.' It has an archaic and formal ring to it, rather like the sort of speech employed in prayer. It sounds similar to Matthew 1:18, "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about." I suppose Matthew could very well have said, "This is how Jesus Christ was born." But that doesn't really do justice to the occasion, now does it?

 

[rainous]

Thanks for your insight.

If it was just a regular mom, talking about her proud son and how her son came to her life after a series of hardships and ordeals, rather than some high-minded academic, recounting the grandiose birth incidents of some mythical figures, would using the expression fit the occasion or would you recommend looking for some other expressions?

 

[5jj]

I think there would have to be something slightly unusual or unlikely about the birth for this expression to be used by such a mother.

 

[5jj]

Please remember that we do not discuss religion or politics in this language forum Any future posts should be about the words under discussion. Whether or not Jesus is a mythical figure is irrelevant.

 

[Rover_KE]

That's how my first baby came to be born!!!

Is the expression grammatical?

No. Only a single exclamation mark is acceptable in standard English.

Rover

 

[rainous]

Whether or not Jesus is a mythical figure is irrelevant.

Just so you know, I wasn't referring to Jesus when I said "some mythical figures".

But rather, I was thinking something along the lines of Zeus or the three-headed Demarcia.

If I wanted to talk about Jesus, I don't think I would've used the word "grandiose" to describe his birth.