It is easy to confuse the verbs Come/Go, Make/Do and Lend/Borrow in English because they are very similar in meaning. However, they are used in specific contexts that are slightly different and saying one instead of the other can be a problem when we try to communicate.
The following pictures and explanations are meant to define these specific contexts in order to make it easier for the English learner to choose the correct verb in a given situation.
The verbs COME and GO
COME and GO have the same basic meaning, but are used for different DIRECTIONS.
COME is used to show movement toward or in the direction of the speaker or the person being spoken to. It has a similar meaning to the verb “to arrive”.
For example:
My mom is coming to see me next week. (she is coming in my direction)
Can I come to your house?
Many times COME is used with the preposition from, which shows the starting point of the movement, as in:
He comes from Italy.
GO is used to show movement away from the speaker or the person being spoken to. It has a similar meaning to the verb “to leave”.
For example:
We are going to see my mom next week. (we are leaving the place where we are now in order to see my mom)
I need to go now. (I need to leave the place where I am currently)
Many times GO is used with the preposition to, which shows the destination of the movement, as in:
Let’s go to work!
The verbs MAKE and DO
MAKE and DO are just slightly different in meaning.
DO refers to the process, the action in itself, or an obligation.
For example:
I do my homework every day. (process, obligation)
Can you do this for me? (action)
MAKE refers to the product, creating something, or actions you choose to do.
For example:
He makes breakfast every day. (the product is breakfast)
How did you make this bridge? (how did you create this bridge)
There are many expressions with DO and MAKE in English. At times it will be difficult to distinguish the two verbs as explained above, but you will learn the correct way to use each expression through practice.
The verbs LEND and BORROW
LEND and BORROW also have the same basic meaning, but are used for different “directions” of the action.
LEND is used when someone gives something that is their own to somebody else for a certain period of time (temporarily), but the item will need to be returned.
For example:
Could you lend me your pen? (you will give me your pen for some time, but I will need to return it)
I am lending you my bike. (I am giving you my bike for some time, but you will need to return it)
LEND appears with the preposition to sometimes, as in:
Come on, lend it to me!
BORROW is used when someone takes something that belongs to somebody else for a certain period of time (temporarily), but they will need to return the item they are taking.
For example:
He’s always borrowing money. (he always takes money from other people for some time, but he needs to return it)
Can I borrow your phone? (I am taking your phone for some time, but will need to return it)
BORROW appears with the preposition from sometimes, as in:
I borrowed it from you.
Quiz
Fill out the sentences with the correct form of the verbs:
COME/GO
- I _______ to Spain every summer.
- Where does he ________ from?
- ___________ here!
- ___________ over there!
MAKE/DO
5. Please ___________ a cake for me.
6. They never ___________ the dishes.
7. Can you _________ a kyte?
8. When you _________ your work, you are the best.
LEND/BORROW
9. My father _______ me his car sometimes.
10. I would like to ________________ your computer for an hour.
11. He ____________ my clothes whenever he likes.
12. _______ her your coat, she is cold!
Answers
- go
- come
- come
- go
- make
- do
- make
- do
- lends
- borrow
- borrows
- lend
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