Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[stevenukd]

Dear Teachers,

1. When do we say �are you coming with us�? and when we say �are you going with us?�?

2. You should be active to apologize to her in advance, and you have to show that you really want to come back to her and willing to do everything to make it up to her.

- Is this natural?

3.� Do I know you from somewhere?
- Have I met you somewhere?
- Are these natural and the same meaning?

Thanks a million to Teachers,

Stevenukd.

[CP]

1. In informal conversation, I don't think there is any reason to choose between "coming with us" and "going with us" in many situations. "Coming with us" is more likely to be used when we are leaving now or very soon; "going with us" more likely for future events. Are you going with us to Italy next year? Are you coming with us to the party tonight?

2. I would rewrite the sentence as, for example:
"You should take the initiative and apologize to her first. You should show her that you really want her back, and you are willing to do anything to make it up to her."

Reasons for the changes: "be active to apologize" is rather unnatural sounding; "in advance" is a little stiff; two sentences just feel better than one long one; usually you want your honey back rather than want to come back to her; you are willing to do anything, as "everything" does not sound natural.

3. Both are natural sounding and both mean the same thing: You look familiar to me, but I'm not sure why. Have we met before? Do you just look like someone famous? Etc.

Yours truly, CP