English grammar
Take / bring, go / come — whose point of view?
Choose take or bring, go or come, depending on where you are.
From the scene Do I take it or bring it?
In short
Take and go move away from the speaker; bring and come move towards the speaker or listener.
Your turn
Which one goes with towards me: bring?
Options: are you coming to help me? · could you bring it down to me? · I'm taking them up right now
Show answer
towards me: bring → could you bring it down to me?
How it works
Take and go move away from where the speaker is: I'm taking them up.
Good to know
Bring and come move towards the speaker (or the listener): could you bring it down to me?, are you coming to help?
Good to know
When someone calls you, answer Coming! — you're moving towards them.
away from here: take I'm taking them up right now
Javi
Sorry, Don Ramón. I'm taking them up right now.
Perdón, Don Ramón. Ahora mismo las llevo arriba.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sorry, Don Ramón. (blank).
Options: Are you coming to help me · I'm taking them up right now · Could you bring it down to me
Show answer
Javi
Sorry, Don Ramón. I'm taking them up right now.
Perdón, Don Ramón. Ahora mismo las llevo arriba.
towards me: bring could you bring it down to me?
Ramón
And my mother's box, could you bring it down to me?
Y la caja de mi madre, ¿me la traes aquí?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And my mother's box, (blank)?
Options: I'm taking them up right now · are you coming to help me · could you bring it down to me
Show answer
Ramón
And my mother's box, could you bring it down to me?
Y la caja de mi madre, ¿me la traes aquí?
towards the speaker: come are you coming to help me?
Tomás
Javi, are you coming to help me with this one?
Javi, ¿vienes a ayudarme con esta?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Javi, (blank) with this one?
Options: are you coming to help me · I'm taking them up right now · could you bring it down to me
Show answer
Tomás
Javi, are you coming to help me with this one?
Javi, ¿vienes a ayudarme con esta?
answering a call Coming, Tomás!
Javi
Coming, Tomás! Just a moment.
¡Ya voy, Tomás! Un momento.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)! Just a moment.
Options: Could you bring it down to me · Coming, Tomás · I'm taking them up right now
Show answer
Javi
Coming, Tomás! Just a moment.
¡Ya voy, Tomás! Un momento.
Common mistake
Not coming or going here. Away from here, up to the flat.
Sorry, Don Ramón. I'm taking them up right now.
Perdón, Don Ramón. Ahora mismo las llevo arriba.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| away from here: take | I'm taking them up right now |
|---|---|
| towards me: bring | could you bring it down to me? |
| towards the speaker: come | are you coming to help me? |
| answering a call | Coming, Tomás! |
More lines from the story
- RamónMe? I don't bring coffees. I collect the rent.¿Yo? Yo no traigo cafés. Yo cobro el alquiler.
- RamónThese boxes are blocking the entrance!¡Estas cajas bloquean la entrada!