'Came' or 'Come': What's the Difference?

Are you here looking for an explanation of the difference between 'came' or 'come? ' If so, you are in luck.

Before we dive in, here is a short answer:

• 'Came' is the past tense form of the verb 'come.'
• 'Come' is the present tense form of the verb.
• 'Came' and 'come' can also both be nouns. 

The answer above will get you by if you need to verify which of these terms to use quickly. However, there is much more to learn. So, keep reading to learn exactly when and how to use each term what term to use.

What's the Difference Between 'Came' or 'Come?'

'Came' and 'come' can be verbs or nouns. Their meanings change depending on their part of speech.

When 'came' is a verb, it is the past tense form of 'come.' 'Come' as a verb means to approach or move toward something.

'Came' in its noun form means a rod used to hold pieces of glass in place, while the noun form of 'come' means semen or orgasm.

As you can see, these terms have very different meanings when used as nouns. So, you must use them correctly.

Definition of 'Came': What Does 'Came' Mean?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary lists 'came' as a verb defined as:

• The past tense form of come

It can also be a noun that means:

• A narrow lead rod with grooves used to hold glass in place

Definition of 'Come': What Does 'Come' Mean?

The same source defines 'come' as a verb that means:

• To approach or move in the direction of something
• To journey to a vicinity with a purpose
• To reach a station in a series
• To arrive
• To approach in quality or kind
• To reach a specific conclusion
• To improve, advance, or rise in position or rank
• To arrive at a specific point, position, place, rank, or condition
• To extend
• Total cost or amount
• Occur or happen
• Make an appearance
• Show up
• Arise or originate
• To enter a position, condition, or relation
• To speak or issue forth
• To go to a person a person in a division of property or an inheritance
• Become
• To turn out to be
• To approach or move near
• To take on a quality or aspect of

According to the same 'come' can also be a noun that means:

• Semen
• Orgasm

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce 'Came' or 'Come'

Whether you are learning English as a second language or working on improving your communication skills, knowing how to pronounce terms correctly is essential.

So, here is a pronunciation guide for 'come' and 'came.'

• Use this phonetic spelling to pronounce 'come':

kuhm

• Use this phonetic spelling to pronounce 'came':

kām

When and How to Use a 'Came' vs. 'Come'

Even after learning the meaning of terms, it can be. challenging to know when to use them. So, here are some tips to help you determine whether to use 'came' or 'come.'

• Use 'came' to say that someone went somewhere in the past.

For example, you could say:

She came to the party with a group of friends but did not stay very long.   

• Use 'come' to ask someone to go to you.

So, I might say:

I have to do it until 9 pm tonight. So, I will not be able to go see you today. Can you come to me?

• Use 'came' to refer to a piece of lead used to hold glass in place.

For example, you can say:

To create stained glass art, use a came to hold the pieces in place.

• Use 'come' to say that something was brought about.

As an example, you might hear someone say:

It is really sad that it had to come to this. 

Sample Sentences Using 'Came' or 'Come'

You are almost finished with this lesson, but read the sample sentences below before you go. They will help you remember the uses of each word.

Came

• The mail carrier just came by, but we didn't receive anything today.
• If you came to work on time, you could finish before it is time to go home.
• We were all surprised when a large package came in the mail.
• When Timothy had a problem, he always came to Suzy for advice.
• It came on Sunday, but I did not open it until Friday.

Come

• If you come here, I will show you around town.
• Did you come here from another country? Or were you born in the United States?
• What time will you come today? I want to make sure that I am here when you arrive.
• If you come while I am at work, knock on the door, and my husband will let you in.
• We are shipping you a replacement. As soon as it comes, you need to call me so I can activate it.

Came/Come

• Theodore was sorry that he came to your party without a gift last year. So, he made a point to come with an extra special gift this year.
• If you came to the staff meeting on Monday morning, you do not need to come to the meeting on Friday.

The Last Word: 'Came' vs. 'Come'

Here is a quick recap of what you learned in this lesson: 

• 'Come' is a noun and verb that means to move toward or near a point, location, position, or quality. 
• 'Came' is the past tense form of the verb come.
• 'Came' is a noun for a lead strip that holds the glass in place. 

Remembering the meanings of words like these can be challenging. So, if you need a reminder of whether to use 'came' or 'come' you can return to this page for a quick review.

You can also learn about many other words in the confusing words section here. Each guide contains definitions, examples, grammar rules, and tips. So, they are an excellent way to verify that you are using the correct term or to expand your vocabulary and improve your writing and communication skills.