Asking my mom a question: When would be a good time to come visit you?

B45 · Jun 19, 2014

Asking my mom a question:

When will be a good time to come visit you?

VS

When would be a good time to come visit you?

Are both okay?

emsr2d2 · Jun 19, 2014

They're both fine.

2006 · Jun 20, 2014

Batman45 said:
Asking my mom a question:

When will be a good time to come visit you?

VS

When would be a good time to come visit you?

Are both okay?

1) Unless you are at your mother's place and are talking about a future visit, 'go visit you' is better.
2) "will" can be more appropriate for a definite visit, while "would" can be more appropriate for something less definite.

'If I can get some time off work, when would be a good time to (go) visit you?'

B45 · Jun 20, 2014

2006 said:
1) Unless you are at your mother's place and are talking about a future visit, 'go visit you' is better.
2) "will" can be more appropriate for a definite visit, while "would" can be more appropriate for something less definite.

'If I can get some time off work, when would be a good time to (go) visit you?'

Doesn't go mean to move away from the person, while come means to move towards the person you're speaking to?

e.g. Talking to a New York Doctor over the phone while in I'm in California. I say:

I'm coming to New York to see you in September.

VS

I'm going to New York to see you in September.

I thought come would always be the correct choice. No?

2006 · Jun 20, 2014

Batman45 said:
Doesn't go mean to move away from the person,(which person?) No, 'go' means to move away from where the speaker or writer is. while come means to move towards the person you're speaking to? No, again that relates to the speaker.

e.g. Talking to a New York Doctor over the phone while in I'm in California. I say:

I'm coming to New York to see you in September. No, I am going to New York.......'.

'Should I go there, or will you come here?'

...

lotus888 · Jun 20, 2014

Adding "and" would make it a more natural speech.

When would be a good time to come and visit you?

Also, whether I'm at my mother's house or not, I would ask the question with "come and visit you" because it is/was my home. I am essentially coming home.

When can I come (home) and visit you.

--lotus

emsr2d2 · Jun 20, 2014

In BrE, it would be perfectly acceptable (and more natural) to say to a friend who lives in London "I'm coming to London to see you in September!"

Note that in BrE, we add "and" after the infinitive in the sentences you suggested. "When would be a good time to come and see you?". "When shall we go and visit him?"

Come visit/Go visit are, to BrE ears, distinctly AmE constructions.

Raymott · Jun 20, 2014

emsr2d2 said:
Come visit/Go visit are, to BrE ears, distinctly AmE constructions.

Exactly. But Batman is in the US.
And another vote for "come and/to visit you".

B45 · Jun 20, 2014

emsr2d2 said:
In BrE, it would be perfectly acceptable (and more natural) to say to a friend who lives in London "I'm coming to London to see you in September!"

Note that in BrE, we add "and" after the infinitive in the sentences you suggested. "When would be a good time to come and see you?", "When shall we go and visit him?"

Come visit/Go visit are, to BrE ears, distinctly AmE constructions.

Is what username - 2006 telling me to use go incorrect? I'm confused.

Rover_KE · Jun 20, 2014

2006 gave you the preferred version in AmE; ems told you what BrE speakers would say.

Raymott · Jun 20, 2014

Rover_KE said:
2006 gave you the preferred version in AmE; ems told you what BrE speakers would say.

I think not. The "come visit'/"Come and/to visit" can be put down to AmE/BrE difference, but I think that only 2006 has expressed a preference for 'go' over 'come', and lotus, who is equally American (actually moreso, by the profiles), also prefers 'come' in this case.

B45 · Jun 20, 2014

Raymott said:
I think not. The "come visit'/"Come and/to visit" can be put down to AmE/BrE difference, but I think that only 2006 has expressed a preference for 'go' over 'come', and lotus, who is equally American (actually moreso, by the profiles), also prefers 'come' in this case.

I seriously thought this whole time that only come was grammatically, made sense, and the correct way to say it. Was taught that go is wrong in this particular situation.

emsr2d2 · Jun 20, 2014

I would never use go in that context and would consider it incorrect.

Barb_D · Jun 20, 2014

I am firmly in the "come" side of this debate as well.

To me, the only difference in your original question (will/would) is the likelihood. With "will" you are definitely coming. With "would" it's a bit more uncertain. ... if you really want me to. ... if I can get time away from work. ... if I can afford the plane ticket.

charliedeut · Jun 20, 2014

To add a bit to the confusion, what about "When will it be a good time..."?

emsr2d2 · Jun 20, 2014

That's fine too.

2006 · Jun 20, 2014

emsr2d2 said:
"When would be a good time to come and see you?", "When shall we go and visit him?" That's quite inconsistent. Is there no rule?

What is the purpose of the comma between the two sentences?

emsr2d2 · Jun 20, 2014

It was a simple typo. I have edited my post and corrected it.

2006 · Jun 20, 2014

'Should I go there, or will you come here?'

I noticed that no one has challenged the above sentence.

emsr2d2 · Jun 20, 2014

I have no desire to search this two-page thread for that excerpt. If you are going to quote, please use the "Reply with quote" button and leave the relevant quote and username in place.

Asking my mom a question: When would be a good time to come visit you?

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