Grammar: More advanced learner mistakes - BBC English Masterclass

Improve your English grammar with the BBC. Learning English can be tricky, so we want to help you avoid some mistakes advanced learners may make. Watch this free online English lesson to find out how.
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More in this series:
Advanced learner mistakes:
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Linking words in English:
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Using 'what' to give emphasis
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5 ways to talk about the future:
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Using 'which' to add information:
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Linking words of contrast:
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Transcript:
Hi guys! Dan for BBC Learning English here. In this session, we'll be taking a look at advanced learner mistakes part two. Go and come, take and bring. Are you ready? Cue music.
"Please come here and bring that umbrella. No I can't, I have to go home. I mustn’t forget to take my keys."
Now, these verb pairs seem simple, but in fact many advanced learners still confuse them. In English, the choice depends upon the position of the speaker or listener when the speaker is talking. Come and bring are approaching verbs. They represent movement towards the place where the speaker or listener is when the speaker is talking. For example: "Please come to my house this evening and bring a bottle of Cola. Please come to my house this evening and bring a bottle of Cola."
The speaker is at the house and the listener is approaching and bringing the Cola. But, different example: "Are you still sick? Can I come and see you? I can bring some aspirin." The speaker is moving TO the listener’s position and bringing the aspirin with them.
Go and take are departing verbs. They represent movements away from where the speaker or listener is when the speaker is talking. For example: "John, I always go back to Brazil once a year. I like to take my family gifts." The speaker and the listener are NOT in Brazil. The movement is away from their position and so is the object.
Another example: "John, can you go to the shop for me and buy some bread? Take this money to pay." The speaker and listener are NOT in the shop. The movement is away from their position.
Remember that these verbs can also apply for movements that take place in the past or the future. So, for example: "When I was in hospital, why didn’t you come and visit me?" or, "I think tomorrow night I’ll go to the cinema."
And these verbs can be combined. Check this out: "I think tomorrow night I’ll go to the cinema. I’ve got to take my loyalty card for a discount. Would you like to come? You can bring a friend."
Have you got it? She got it! Now for more information check out bbclearningenglish.com. I've been Dan, you've been awesome. See you next time - let's go to the cinema.

[@user-yuhong17love]

What fantastically daily conversation you are trying to teach us, it's really exhilarating. 😉 thanks, Dan and BBC learning English.

[@artofrepetition]

incredibly advanced English must-know bit. I think this differentiates between near native speaker level and intermediate level. These mistakes can be made without any awareness only until native speakers point out them.

[@jennyatkinson4915]

Love this!

[@emilylin8632]

This is one of the most excellent lessons I have watched! Crystal clear :)

[@amina1838]

What a useful explanation Dan thanks a bunch

[@tammytsang3487]

I went to England for a holiday last month and came back to Canada a few weeks ago. I bought home a lot of souvenirs, cookies and chocolates.

[@sandunthilina4978]

What I want to say Dan, you are perfect.

[@svevabloomsbury7620]

No teachers like Dan, he's simply the best ❤️. Immensely thank you

[@vutran4577]

"Hey, dude. I have bought some pizza. Come here, bring some beers" "Don't forget to take your camera when you go to work tomorrow"

[@yesycorman8364]

Dan, you are an amazing teacher! Would you come to Perú and share your knowledge in a workshop? I will be happy to go!!

[@fabiograpple]

Good job!!

[@atri-us]

If you are Turkish and your only second language is English, this video may be confusing because one may not be able to see what the problem is. GO-COME / BRING-TAKE work exactly the same way in Turkish as it does in English. There is nothing to confuse. However, in some other languages (e.g. Dutch, German) GO-COME / BRING-TAKE are used slightyly differently. As a result native speakers of such languages often confuse Go with Come, Bring with Take.

[@tgchan]

Thank you.

[@carlosblanco8127]

Thanks 4 you top notch piece of work. So, if I were to say: I am coming, it means that I will be together with the listener whereas I am going conveys the idea of drawing away from the listener, am I right?

[@absansher]

Ok

[@vancentle991]

Hello bbclearningenglish!! I am so grateful for these useful videos. But why can not I access to your website??

[@robms7]

Great

[@mounireaddevil]

Hi Dan please I would like a favour from you! Well. I tried to send you an email but it appears that there is problem in there ! Well, actually, I was trying to ask I about the procedures and the requirements of using your transcripts and texts as an authentic materials for my proposed syllabus in teaching English. Help plz 😭

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Hezbri, Thank you for your comment and apologies that you had problems emailing us. To clarify, our email inbox is: [e-mail]. We are very happy for you to use our materials as part of a class provided you are accessing them from our website. You can do so as long as you do not alter them in any way. However, you cannot use the materials as part of your own content. For more information, please email us again using 'Hezbri - syllabus' in the subject line.

[@ronaldalexanderdamiandiaz8449]

Maybe in some other languages they both mean the same, That’s why some learners usually confuse them

[@adielsantiago633]

Brazil :)

[@amirforoughi5766]

I know how to use "take" unconsciously. But, according to the formula presented, when and how can I use "take"? For example, why didn't he (actually she ;) ) say: "I' ve got to bring my loyalty card for a discount".

[@bbclearningenglish]

Bring would not have worked in this case because neither the speaker, nor the listener were at the cinema at the time when they spoke. If their friend had been at the cinema, or the speaker was talking to a cinema worker, then bring would have been appropriate. But since the card is not approaching anyone in the conversation (because it is going to the cinema), bring does not work.

[@vaniaduartedeoliveira7738]

Hello Dan... Amir...excuse me :) my example is almost the same but I'm not sure if I got it ... Let's see... I was talking to my teacher about a class that would happen next week, neither I nor my teacher were in the class. In this case can't I say "I will bring some friends", or is it ok since I'm talking to a teacher?

[@amirforoughi5766]

@bbclearningenglish Thank you very much, it is very helpful and fortunately it clears up my doubts. Thanks a lot!

[@amirforoughi5766]

@Vânia Duarte De Oliveira: According to what bbclearningenglish wrote for me, and I quote it: "neither the speaker, nor the listener were at the cinema (in your case, class) at the time when they spoke", I think you would better use take rather bring! I hope I am right ;)

[@vaniaduartedeoliveira7738]

Yes... I agree, I was just thinking... Where is this cinema worker? In my case the teacher...But the friends are not approaching anyone in the conversation... As he said... I think you are right!!! Thanks Amir :)

[@sabahatfarooq2584]

Music in the middle and at the end of the video is really annoying.