English grammar
Telling a story in the present: in comes a man, he goes and falls, he goes "…"
Tell a funny story vividly in the present tense, with in comes…, goes and… and he goes.
From the scene And he goes and says…
In short
In chatty stories, use the present: in comes this man, he goes and falls, he goes (= says) '…'.
Your turn
Which one goes with a dramatic entrance: in comes + subject?
Options: I'm at La Esquina having a coffee · he trips over a chair and goes and falls · and in comes this man in a helmet
Show answer
a dramatic entrance: in comes + subject → and in comes this man in a helmet
How it works
In chatty storytelling, English often switches to the present to make a past story vivid: I'm at La Esquina, in comes this man.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He gets up, looks at me and he (blank):
Options: goes · go · gone
Show answer
He gets up, looks at me and he goes:
Se levanta, me mira y va y me dice:
Good to know
Goes and + verb marks a sudden or silly action (he goes and falls).
Good to know
In very informal speech, goes can even mean says before a quote: he looks at me and he goes, '…'.
Good to know
This + noun introduces a new person (this man in a helmet). Keep it for chatting, not for writing.
setting the scene in the present I'm at La Esquina having a coffee
Javi
I'm at La Esquina having a coffee, and in comes this man in a helmet.
Estoy en La Esquina tomando un tinto, y entra un señor con casco.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), and in comes this man in a helmet.
Options: I'm at La Esquina having a coffee · He trips over a chair and goes and falls · He looks at me and he goes:
Show answer
Javi
I'm at La Esquina having a coffee, and in comes this man in a helmet.
Estoy en La Esquina tomando un tinto, y entra un señor con casco.
a dramatic entrance: in comes + subject and in comes this man in a helmet
Javi
I'm at La Esquina having a coffee, and in comes this man in a helmet.
Estoy en La Esquina tomando un tinto, y entra un señor con casco.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I'm at La Esquina having a coffee, (blank).
Options: and in comes this man in a helmet · he trips over a chair and goes and falls · he looks at me and he goes:
Show answer
Javi
I'm at La Esquina having a coffee, and in comes this man in a helmet.
Estoy en La Esquina tomando un tinto, y entra un señor con casco.
goes and + verb: sudden, silly action he trips over a chair and goes and falls
Javi
He trips over a chair and goes and falls right onto my coffee.
Tropieza con una silla y va y se cae encima de mi tinto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) right onto my coffee.
Options: I'm at La Esquina having a coffee · And in comes this man in a helmet · He trips over a chair and goes and falls
Show answer
Javi
He trips over a chair and goes and falls right onto my coffee.
Tropieza con una silla y va y se cae encima de mi tinto.
goes = says (very informal) he looks at me and he goes: …
Your turn
What goes with he looks at me and he goes: …?
Options: a dramatic entrance: in comes + subject · goes = says (very informal) · setting the scene in the present
Show answer
he looks at me and he goes: … → goes = says (very informal)
the story goes on in the present I say yes, he gives me the helmet
Javi
I say yes, he gives me the helmet and here I am.
Le digo que sí, me da el casco y aquí estoy.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) and here I am.
Options: I'm at La Esquina having a coffee · And in comes this man in a helmet · I say yes, he gives me the helmet
Show answer
Javi
I say yes, he gives me the helmet and here I am.
Le digo que sí, me da el casco y aquí estoy.
Common mistake
Not went or going here. The story is in the present.
He trips over a chair and goes and falls right onto my coffee.
Tropieza con una silla y va y se cae encima de mi tinto.
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
| setting the scene in the present | I'm at La Esquina having a coffee |
|---|---|
| a dramatic entrance: in comes + subject | and in comes this man in a helmet |
| goes and + verb: sudden, silly action | he trips over a chair and goes and falls |
| goes = says (very informal) | he looks at me and he goes: … |
| the story goes on in the present | I say yes, he gives me the helmet |
More lines from the story
- JaviHe gets up, looks at me and he goes:Se levanta, me mira y va y me dice:
- Javi"I've broken my ankle. Do you want my job?""Me he roto el tobillo. ¿Quieres mi trabajo?"
- NuriaSo what do you say?¿Y tú qué le dices?