come back vs. get back

[Benjamin Barrett]

Thank you for that. I think that makes sense.

Also, having let this sit for a couple of days, "I just came back" doesn't sound so bad to me, so my reaction may just have been idiodialectical.

Best regards
Benjamin Barrett
Seattle, WA

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On Nov 2, 2013, at 9:16 AM, Joel S. Berson <Berson at ATT.NET> wrote:

> Is it possible that "come/came" is often chosen when there is some
> emphasis on the action of returning, on the journey, and "get/got"
> when the emphasis is on the arrival?
>
> I come back at five -- my trip always/generally starts (or perhaps,
> ends) at five.
> I came back at five -- that day my trip began (ended) at five.
> I get back at five -- I always/generally arrive at my destination at five.
> I got back at five -- that day I arrived at my destination at five.
>
> These would probably be my choices -- if some linguist forced me to
> think about them.  Although those who think "come/came" equates to
> "arrive" might use either "come" or "get" at random.  I suspect a
> lawyer would demand that the witness clarify by saying "leave/left"
> or "arrive/arrived".
>
> Joel
>
> At 11/1/2013 07:47 PM, Benjamin Barrett wrote:
>> In the context of just returning to the locale such as after
>> traveling abroad, "I just came back" does not seem bad, though I
>> still prefer the "get" version.
>>
>> It's when you go out on errands or something and then arrive at home
>> or work that "I just came back" seems odd. BB
>>
>> On Nov 1, 2013, at 4:38 PM, Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at IX.NETCOM.COM> wrote:
>>
>>> I have a real problem with, "I just came back."
>>>
>>> I suppose "I've just come back" is fine, but it uses the perfect,
>> which sounds unnecessary. Instead, it seems, "I just got back" is
>> far preferable.
>>>
>>> In the present tense (I come/get back everyday at 3 o'clock),
>> "get" seems better though I don't have a problem with the "come" version.
>>>
>>> For "When I come/get back," I don't notice much of a difference,
>> though "get" seems preferable.
>>>
>>> It seems possible that the awkwardness of the perfect tense and
>> the irregular conjugation of "come" is causing the problem, but
>> "get" also has an irregular conjugation. Is there a real difference
>> in the meanings of "come back" and "get back"? Is something else
>> going on? (Is it all in my head?)

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