Both “come” and “go” describe movement from one place to another place.
Example:
I’m coming to the shop.
I’m going to the shop.
Both of these sentences are grammatically correct but their use and meaning is slightly different.
Question: When do we use “come” and when do we use “go“?
Answer: It depends on the position of the speaker or hearer.
To understand, let’s look at COME and GO in more detail.
COME
Pronunciation of “come“: /kʌm/
“come” is an irregular verb.
past simple: came
past participle: come
When to use COME
1) For movement towards the speaker.
Jane (speaker) is in a shop. Mark is at home. Jane calls Mark.
Jane: “Please come to the shop.”
2) For movement towards the hearer.
Mark: “Ok, I’m coming to the shop.”
GO
Pronunciation of “go“: /ɡəʊ/
“go” is also an irregular verb.
Past simple: went
Past participle: gone
When to use GO
1) For movement not towards the speaker.
Example:
Jane and Mark are both at home. Jane (speaker) is talking to Mark.
Jane: “Please go to the shop and buy some bread.”
2) For movement not towards the hearer.
Mark: “Ok, I’m going to the shop.”
come – Example 2
Reminder: We use COME for movement towards the speaker.
Jane is in the living room. Mark (speaker) is in the kitchen. He needs help.
Mark: Please come to the kitchen. I need your help. 
Mark: Please go to the kitchen. I need your help. 
Reminder: We also use “come” for movement towards the hearer.
Jane: Ok, don’t panic! I’m coming.
Jane: Ok, don’t panic! I’m going.
come – Example 3
Reminder: We use “come” for movement towards the speaker.
Mark is at home. The manager (speaker) is at the office. He calls Mark.
Manager: Where are you?
Mark: I’m at home.
Manager: Please come to the office immediately.
Manager: Please go to the office immediately.
Reminder: We also use “come” for movement towards the hearer.
Mark: Ok. I’m coming. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.
Mark: Ok. I’m going. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.
go – Example 2
Reminder: We use “go” for movement not towards the speaker.
Jane and Mark are in the living room watching television. There is an open window in the kitchen. Jane is the speaker.
Jane: Please go to the kitchen and close the window.
Jane: Please come to the kitchen and close the window.
Reminder: We use “go” for movement NOT towards the hearer.
Mark: Ok, I’m going!
Mark: Ok, I’m coming!
go – Example 3
Reminder: We use “go” for movement not towards the speaker.
Mark and the manager (speaker) are at the office.
Manager: Please go to the airport immediately.
Manager: Please come to the airport immediately.
Reminder: We use “go” for movement not towards the hearer.
Mark: Ok. I’m going.
Mark: Ok. I’m coming.
Come and go in the past
If the movement is happening in the past:
- The position of the speaker and hearer in the past is important.
- The position of the speaker and hearer in the present is not important.
Reminder: We use “come” for movement towards the speaker in the past.
Yesterday (past), Jane had a party at her house.
Today (present), Jane (speaker) and Sarah are talking at the office.
Jane: 50 people came to my party yesterday!
(The movement was towards the speaker in the past.)
Jane: 50 people went to my party yesterday!
Reminder: We use “come” for movement towards the hearer in the past.
Sarah: It was a great party. I am glad that I came.
(The movement was towards the speaker and hearer in the past.)
Sarah: It was a great party. I am glad that I went.
Come and go in the future
If the movement is in the future:
- The position of the speaker and hearer in the future is important.
- The position of the speaker and hearer in the present is not important.
Reminder: We use “come” for the anticipated movement towards the speaker in the future.
Jane (speaker) and Sarah are talking in an office in Manchester:
Jane: I will be in London next week. Will you come to visit?
(movement towards the speaker in the future.)
Jane: I will be in London next week. Will you go to visit?
Reminder: We use “come” for the anticipated movement towards the hearer in the future.
Sarah: Yes, I’ll come on Wednesday!
(movement towards the hearer in the future.)
Sarah: Yes, I’ll go on Wednesday!
Come and go in the future – Example 2
Reminder: We use “come” for the anticipated movement towards the speaker in the future.
Jane (speaker) and David are talking in the office.
Jane: I’m having a party at home tomorrow. Do you want to come?
(anticipated movement towards the speaker in the future.)
Jane: I’m having a party at home tomorrow. Do you want to go?
Reminder: We use “go” for the anticipated movement not towards the hearer in the future.
David: No, sorry, I’m going to a football match tomorrow.
(movement not towards the hearer in the future.)
David: No, sorry, I’m coming to a football match tomorrow.
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