The verb “go” is a very common verb in English. It is used in lots of different situations.
Form of the verb “go”
“go” is an irregular verb.
Present simple:
I go
you go
he / she / it goes
we go
you go
they go
Past participle: gone
Past simple form: went
Meaning of the verb “go”
The common meaning of “go” is to travel or move to another place.
Example:
Jane is going to the airport.
However, “go” is also used in many English expressions, idioms and phrasal verbs.
In this lesson, you will learn 6 phrasal verbs with “go”:
go with
go off
go over
go on
go out
go by
go with
We often use “go with” to describe clothes, colours, tastes and appearances.
Meaning:
To match.
To look good together.
To taste good together.
Example:
The tie goes with the jacket.
We often add the adverb “well” between “go” and “with“:
The tie goes well with the jacket.
More examples:
Jane’s lipstick goes well with her dress.
The wine went well with the cheese.
go off
“go off” has three different meanings, depending on the context.
“go off” – Meaning 1
To explode.
Example:
A bomb has gone off in the city centre.
“go off” – Meaning 2
To make a loud noise / to ring loudly.
Examples:
The alarm clock is going off.
I’m sorry I’m late. My alarm clock didn’t go off this morning.
“go off” – Meaning 3
If food or drink goes off, it is no longer good to eat / drink.
Example:
The milk has gone off. Don’t drink it!
go over
Meaning:
To examine, review or look at something in a careful or detailed way.
Examples:
They are going over the accounts.
Teacher: Let’s go over the answers to the exercise.
Student: I went over my essay and checked it for spelling mistakes.
go on
Meaning:
To happen.
To occur.
Examples:
There is a lot of noise in the classroom. What is going on?
Jane: How was your job interview?
Sarah: Oh gosh, it was terrible!
Jane: Why? What went on?
go out
Meaning:
To leave a room or building, often for a social event.
To not stay at home.
Examples:
John enjoys going out at the weekend.
Mark: What would you like to do tonight?
Jane: Let’s go out for a meal.
Jane: What did you and David do last night?
Sarah: We went out for a drink.
go by
“go by” has two different meanings, depending on the context.
“go by” – Meaning 1
To pass (time).
Examples:
I’m sad the holiday is finished. Time goes by too quickly.
Where is she? Five hours have gone by since she called.
“go by” – Meaning 2
To pass (physically).
Examples:
A bus is going by.
I go by my parents’ house every morning.
More lessons
Phrasal verbs with PUT
Expressions and phrasal verbs with “take”
English expressions and phrasal verbs with BACK
The verb “to BE” – English irregular verbs
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