[phillc73]

Why is the clunky construct “to come and visit” even used?

“It was nice of John and Mary to visit us the other day”

[rawgabbit]

I believe it is for emphasis. Instead of a big deal. It is a big ginormous deal that John and Mary would come all the way from their country estate to visit us their poor relations in our humble house.

[dahart]

Come and visit makes it sound like they traveled to be there, where just visit might be the neighbor stopping by. It’s subtle and ambiguous, but I do see valid use for come and visit.