Conjugation of "Come" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To move toward the speaker or toward a specified place or person.
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All 12 Tenses of "Come"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "come" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I come |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I came |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will come |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am coming |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was coming |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be coming |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have come |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had come |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have come |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been coming |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been coming |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been coming |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Come" — Came
The past simple of "come" is "came". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "come" is irregular, "came" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
Past Participle of "Come" — Come
The past participle of "come" is "come". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have come"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was come"). Because "come" is irregular, "come" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
- Can you come to my house tomorrow? A1
- Please come here and help me now. A1
- When will she come back home? A1
Is "Come" Regular or Irregular?
"Come" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "come", past simple "came", and past participle "come". The 3rd-person singular present is "comes" and the present participle/gerund is "coming". Conjugation pattern: ablaut: come-came-come.
Conjugation pattern: ablaut: come-came-come
How to Pronounce "Come" and Its Forms
Come: /kʌm/ — Stress pattern: O
The 'o' sound is short like in 'cup', not long like in 'coat'. Say: KUH-m.
Common mispronunciation of "come"
Often pronounced with a long /oʊ/ instead of short /ʌ/; correct pronunciation is /kʌm/ (rhymes with 'sum').
How to Use "Come" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use come when movement is toward the speaker or main location.
S + V (intransitive)S + V + to-infinitiveS + V + adverb/prep
Example Sentences with "Come" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: Can you come to my house tomorrow? A1
Common Collocations with "Come"
- come home — What time do you come home?
- come back — When will you come back?
- come to school — Students come to school at 8am.
- come with me — Come with me to the store.
- come from — Where do you come from?
When to Use "Come" vs Similar Verbs
"come" vs "go"
Come is toward the speaker; go is away from the speaker.
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- arrive — when come emphasizes reaching a final destination
- approach — when you come closer to something gradually
Antonyms: leave, depart, go
Common Mistakes with "Come"
-
Wrong: She come from Italy.
Correct: She comes from Italy.
Use "comes" (3rd singular) with "she". -
Wrong: I come yesterday.
Correct: I came yesterday.
Use past tense "came" for completed past actions. -
Wrong: They are come back.
Correct: They have come back. / They are coming back.
"Are come" is incorrect; use "have come" (perfect) or "are coming" (present continuous).
Origin and Etymology of "Come"
From Old English cuman; related to German kommen.
Other Forms of "Come"
- Noun: comer
Conjugation Tables for "Come"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not come · He does not come
- Simple past: I did not come · She did not come
- Present perfect: I have not come · He has not come
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you come? · Does he come?
- Simple past: Did you come?
- Present perfect: Have you come?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is come
- Simple past passive: It was come
- Present perfect passive: It has been come
Frequently Asked Questions About "Come"
- Is "come" regular or irregular?
- "come" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "came" and past participle is "come". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "come"?
- The simple past of "come" is "came".
- What's the difference between the past simple and past participle of "come"?
- The past simple is "came" and the past participle is "come". Use past simple for completed past actions ("I came yesterday"). Use past participle with have/has ("I have come").
- What's a common mistake with "come"?
- Use "comes" (3rd singular) with "she". Wrong: "She come from Italy." Correct: "She comes from Italy."