What does "come in" mean in the following context?
- where does the Pro in iPad Pro come in?
- Microphones come in an assortment of configurations to meet a variety of uses.
Does it means to function as some kind of contributor? Or does it mean to become available or be usable?
Solution 1:
In "1" the meaning is that of a phrasal verb and it is given in the SOED as follows.
(SOED) (q) be (useful, etc.) as something to have available
Here, the adjective wouldn't be "useful" but something as "explanatory".
- What is the "Pro" explanatory of in "iPad Pro" (as something to have available)? (I believe that "as something to have available" can be omitted, thus the parentheses.)
In "2" it is as follows; the verb is not reckoned with as a phrasal verb, it is just a regular verb.
(SOED) 6b Of a thing: be available or on sale (in a size, colour, etc. or with certain features etc.). Mid 20th century
This latter definition is confirmed in OALD, 11.
[intransitive] (not used in the progressive tenses)
(of goods, products, etc.) to be available or to exist in a particular way
come in something This dress comes in black and red.
come with something The DVD comes with several bonus features.
- adj. (informal) New cars don't come cheap (= they are expensive).
- Microphones are available in an assortment of configurations to meet a variety of uses.