These two verbs both describe movement, so they look like they should work the same way. English cares about one thing first: where the speaker is.
- Come is used when the movement is towards the speaker, or towards the place the listener is.
- Go is used when the movement is away from the speaker, or towards some other place.
Come: towards the speaker
Come here, please.
Are you coming to my party on Saturday?
The bus is coming, so hurry!
The place you are moving to is where the speaker is, or where the listener is.
Go: away from the speaker
Let's go to the park.
I'm going to bed now.
The bus has gone without us.
The place you are moving to is somewhere else, not where the speaker is.
💡 The OddLingo Trick
Ask one question: Where is the speaker?
- If you are moving to where they are, say come.
- If you are moving somewhere else, say go.
Imagine your mum calls from the kitchen: "Dinner's ready!" You are not going to the kitchen, you are heading to where she is, so you answer, "I'm coming!"
⚠️ Common mistakes
Mum is calling from the kitchen.
❌ I'm going!
✅ I'm coming!
Asking to leave the room (the teacher stays behind).
❌ Can I come to the library?
✅ Can I go to the library?
📌 Good to know
Often both words are possible. Are you going to my party? and Are you coming to my party? are both correct. Coming sounds friendlier, because it puts you at the party too. The rule above is the safest guide, and speakers sometimes choose the point of view of the listener or of the place.
Useful phrases
- come home: to the place where the speaker is, or where the speaker lives. Come home soon, dinner is almost ready.
- go home: to your own home, away from the speaker. I'm going home now. See you tomorrow.
- come to a meeting, a party or a lesson: a place the speaker is at or will be. Come to the meeting at three.
- go to school, the shops or the park: a place away from where the speaker is.
If you want a similar pair with a different tricky direction, see Bring vs Take. Both words depend on the speaker's point of view.