You are likely familiar with the English verb ‘to come.’
However, you may have difficulty with the many phrasal verbs that include this verb.
Listen in today as Aubrey and Lindsay share with you these common phrasal verbs and expressions.
You can avoid having a communication breakdown by learning to use the right terms.
Use these both when talking to native English speakers and other language learners.
This will make you sound native and natural!
Coming into town
Lindsay asks Aubrey if she has any friends or family that are coming into town anytime soon.
Aubrey shares that she has a friend from Seattle that is driving to Wyoming.
Her friend will come through Idaho so she will come into town and visit soon.
They might go to Craters of the Moon, which is an hour from Aubrey’s parents’ house.
Lindsay mentions that there are a lot of amazing places to see in the western U.S., but gas prices are super high right now.
Today’s listener question
She also mentions that today’s episode is inspired by a listener’s question about having family or friends come to town.
The listener says that he loves the All Ears English podcast.
He started listening to the podcast a few weeks ago and is aiming to improve his English.
He is very happy that he has found All Ears English.
He has a question regarding the verb ‘come.’
Here is the question:
I always get confused with the way some people use the word “come.” The way I’ve seen it for years is you’ll use this to say that you’re returning from a place, like “I came back from the beach.”, “..it comes and goes…”, “The sound is coming from upstairs.”, etc.
When people say “I’ll come to you.” or “I’ll come to your house.”, I feel like it doesn’t make sens to me even though I’ve used it several times.
It will be great if you guys can explain more about it and I can understand better when it’s right to say “Do you want me to come to your house?” or “Do you want me to go to your house?”
I think both are correct, but this gets me all the time.
Thanks! You guys are great! I listen to you both on my way to work every day. This is Jeffrey Kuhmana from Frederick, Maryland.
How to use ‘come’ in different ways
Jeffrey cites many examples of how to use the verb ‘come.’
Phrasal verbs and expressions used by native English speakers can be confusing.
We will break down in today’s episode how to use different terms with the word ‘come.’
We’ll also provide the meaning of each.
Here are the examples from Jeffrey:
#1: Come back
Aubrey shares that this is a very common phrasal verb.
It means to return to a point of origin.
This is coming back to where you went before you arrived where you are.
Example:
I came back from the beach.
She came back from Australia.
#2: Comes and goes
This term means that something exists and then goes away.
Aubrey’s example for this is how she would describe her allergies.
It comes and goes.
There will be times that her allergies will act up but then after a few days.
Then, she’s back to normal and her allergies aren’t bothering her anymore.
Example:
Money comes and goes but love is forever.
My headache comes and goes.
#3: Come from
This means originating from.
This phrasal verb indicates the source for something.
Example:
The noise is coming from upstairs.
Where is your energy coming from?
#4: Come to versus go to
This can be confusing!
To easily remember what to use, we come to a person but we go to anywhere else.
If someone is at their house and they want you to come to them, you use “come.”
But if the person is not in their house and they are someplace else but they need you to go to their house, you use ‘go.’
It depends on the location of the person to whom you’re talking.
Your point of reference is the person.
Example:
You’re at the lake? I’ll come meet you there.
I’m going to the lake. What time are you going?
Roleplay
Here is a quick roleplay to help you see this vocabulary in action.
In this scenario, they are talking to each other and coordinating about a day on the beach.
Aubrey: I’m going to the beach at 10:00 am. What time are you coming to meet me?
Lindsay: Well, I’ll be coming from work, so I won’t get there until around noon.
Aubrey: Okay. I might grab some lunch at a nearby taco shop, but we’ll come back before noon.
Lindsay: Are you going to Tia Rosa’s?
Aubrey: No. That one closed down.
Lindsay: Oh sad! They have the best tacos. Those places really come and go.
Takeaway
Phrasal verbs can be so tricky!
Today’s tips will help you know how to use the right words when communicating in English.
You can convey the wrong message or get misunderstood if you don’t use the right words.
Learning to speak like a native English speaker can be confusing!
Hacks and tips like those shared by the All Ears English team can help you improve.
You can listen to the All Ears English episodes again and again to get the hang of speaking in English more naturally.
Keep making those connections so you can easily carry on a conversation with anyone!
You want to be able to chat with friends, colleagues and family members in English.
At All Ears English, we give you the tools to do just that!
What other verbs do you find confusing in English?
Share it in the comments below and the team might record an episode about it!
