Confusing words: COME VS GO

Confusing Words #1: Come and Go

 

When should we use COME?

- it depends on the current position of the speaker and the listener

- if the direction is toward the listener or the speaker, then we use "come"

Ex: (movement toward the listener) I will come to your office this afternoon.

(movement toward the speaker) Can you come to my office this afternoon?

  

- it can also be used when we make plans to talk about the direction toward a future position

 

Ex: (inviting someone to a birthday party in the future)

(toward the future position of the speaker) Will you come to my party next weekend?

(toward the future position of the listener) Yes, I will come to your brother's birthday party next weekend.

 

 

 

When should we use GO?

 

- if we are talking about movement from where the speaker or listener is to another place, we use "go"

 

Ex:

Situation 1: We both live in the US and I want to ask you about visiting Europe.

                     When will you go to Europe?

 

Situation 2: You're at work but you want to leave work early, so you tell your boss:

                     I'm going home.