Come means to move towards the place where the speaker or the listener is; go means to move to a place where they aren't. So the choice depends on where you are and where the person you're talking to is: Come here! but Go away!
come or go — can you pick the right one?
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come + here/over/to your place; go + there/away/to + another place; come with + person; I'm coming! (when someone calls you)
- Can you come to my office for a minute? I need to show you something.
- I'm going to the gym after work, so I'll be home around eight.
- We're having a barbecue on Saturday. Would you like to come?
What changed
First versionWhen Mum called me for dinner, I shouted, “Just a second, I'm going!”
RevisionWhen Mum called me for dinner, I shouted, “Just a second, I'm coming!”
When you're about to move, I'm going can seem the natural reply. But Mum is waiting in the kitchen, and you're moving towards her, the person you're talking to. So the answer is I'm coming. I'm going would sound as if you were leaving.
Come also points to the listener's place, even when the speaker isn't there yet: Can I come to your place at seven? The same goes for invitations: Do you want to come with us to the cinema? You're inviting the person to a place where you'll be yourself.
Your turn
I've just arrived at the station. Can you ___ and pick me up?
Show the answer
come — The speaker is already at the station and is asking the other person to travel to them, so come. Go and pick me up doesn't fit: go means moving to a place where the speaker isn't, but here the other person has to get to the speaker.
Invite a friend to your place for dinner and write where you will go before that. Use come and go.
Would you like to come to my place for dinner on Friday? I'll go to the market in the morning to buy fresh fish.
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