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?,”

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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!