ARE YOU COMING OR
GOING?
Learn the distinction between these words
The
following
rule
will tell
you
whether
you are
coming
or going.
COMING OR GOING DEPENDS ON
WHERE YOU ARE AND WHO'S ASKING
The use of
“coming” versus
“going” is based on
the relationship
between the
speaker and
listener.
Consider the perspective of
a coworker asking, “Are you
coming to work?,”
The coworker wants to
know if you are coming to
join them at work.
versus a non-coworker
asking, “Are you going to
work?”
The non-coworker wants to
know if you are leaving them
to go to work.
Note: The physical location of
the person asking the question
will establish whether “coming”
or “going” is used.
This is because they are AT your workplace and when you
come to work, you would be coming to them as well.
If a non-coworker stops by
your place of work and
you aren’t there, they
may call you and ask,
“Are you coming to work
today?”
This is because you would be leaving the event to go to the office.
This is true even if you "go" home before "going" into the office.
If you and a coworker are
at an event, before you
leave, they may ask,
“Are you going into work
(tomorrow)?”
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING
"I'm going to grab something to eat!* Would you like to come?”
Explain to your teacher what you think is happening in this sentence.
TALKING ABOUT GOING TO
PARTIES (OR OTHER EVENTS)
CAN BE TRICKY.
When someone says they are “going
to a party,” this can mean they are
“going to go” meaning “planning to
attend.”
Although, they could also literally be
en route to the party. “Going” can
mean on your way.
A GROUP IS ON THEIR WAY TO A PARTY.
THEY ASK, “ARE YOU COMING?”
THEY COULD BE IMPLYING, “ARE YOU
COMING WITH US?”, OR THEY COULD BE
ASKING IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND
THE PARTY.
YOU AREN'T PLANNING TO ATTEND.
HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND?
Answer the question above using "coming" or "going."
Going Steady, St. John's Publications 1955
EXPRESSIONS USING COMING AND GOING
"I don't know whether I'm coming or going" = to be confused
(use this expression with he, or she)
Come on! =1. Let's go (see example on slide 9), and
2. an expression of disbelief
Create a sentence for each meaning below
Come from = 1. to originate from, and 2. a perspective.
NOTE: Going is used without "to" with the following words:
home, and downtown *also with verbs expressing activities (e.g., skiing)
Easy come, easy go = Something that is obtained easily is quickly lost
ROLE PLAY
(if time allows)
You will be taking
a trip to see a
former classmate
soon.
Have two
conversations:
1.Tell your
coworker about
your upcoming
trip.
2. Tell your
classmate that
you will be visiting.
This slide presentation was created by Michele W. Snider, teacher for SkimaTalk,
Inc., and author of
http://www.myvirtualenglish.com
That's it!
We hope you enjoyed
it!

Are you Coming or Going?

  • 1.
    ARE YOU COMINGOR GOING? Learn the distinction between these words
  • 2.
  • 3.
    COMING OR GOINGDEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE AND WHO'S ASKING The use of “coming” versus “going” is based on the relationship between the speaker and listener. Consider the perspective of a coworker asking, “Are you coming to work?,” The coworker wants to know if you are coming to join them at work. versus a non-coworker asking, “Are you going to work?” The non-coworker wants to know if you are leaving them to go to work.
  • 4.
    Note: The physicallocation of the person asking the question will establish whether “coming” or “going” is used.
  • 5.
    This is becausethey are AT your workplace and when you come to work, you would be coming to them as well. If a non-coworker stops by your place of work and you aren’t there, they may call you and ask, “Are you coming to work today?”
  • 6.
    This is becauseyou would be leaving the event to go to the office. This is true even if you "go" home before "going" into the office. If you and a coworker are at an event, before you leave, they may ask, “Are you going into work (tomorrow)?”
  • 7.
    CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING "I'mgoing to grab something to eat!* Would you like to come?” Explain to your teacher what you think is happening in this sentence.
  • 8.
    TALKING ABOUT GOINGTO PARTIES (OR OTHER EVENTS) CAN BE TRICKY. When someone says they are “going to a party,” this can mean they are “going to go” meaning “planning to attend.” Although, they could also literally be en route to the party. “Going” can mean on your way.
  • 9.
    A GROUP ISON THEIR WAY TO A PARTY. THEY ASK, “ARE YOU COMING?” THEY COULD BE IMPLYING, “ARE YOU COMING WITH US?”, OR THEY COULD BE ASKING IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE PARTY. YOU AREN'T PLANNING TO ATTEND. HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND? Answer the question above using "coming" or "going." Going Steady, St. John's Publications 1955
  • 10.
    EXPRESSIONS USING COMINGAND GOING "I don't know whether I'm coming or going" = to be confused (use this expression with he, or she) Come on! =1. Let's go (see example on slide 9), and 2. an expression of disbelief Create a sentence for each meaning below Come from = 1. to originate from, and 2. a perspective. NOTE: Going is used without "to" with the following words: home, and downtown *also with verbs expressing activities (e.g., skiing) Easy come, easy go = Something that is obtained easily is quickly lost
  • 11.
    ROLE PLAY (if timeallows) You will be taking a trip to see a former classmate soon. Have two conversations: 1.Tell your coworker about your upcoming trip. 2. Tell your classmate that you will be visiting.
  • 12.
    This slide presentationwas created by Michele W. Snider, teacher for SkimaTalk, Inc., and author of http://www.myvirtualenglish.com That's it! We hope you enjoyed it!