Introduction

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English and can be challenging for learners because their meanings often cannot be understood just by looking at the words separately. The verb “go” is commonly used in phrasal verbs to describe movement, change, processes, or even emotions.

In this lesson, we will explore the most commonly used phrasal verbs with “go”, their meanings, and how to use them in daily conversations. By the end, you’ll feel more confident using these expressions in real-life situations!

Common Phrasal Verbs with “Go”

1. Go After (Something/Someone)

Meaning: To pursue or chase something or someone, often with determination.
Example Sentences:

He decided to go after his dream of becoming a professional musician.
The police went after the suspect but couldn’t catch him.
If you want that promotion, you need to go after it and work hard.

Usage Tip:
This phrasal verb is often used in motivational or competitive situations.

2. Go Against (Something/Someone)

Meaning: To oppose or disagree with something or someone.
Example Sentences:

Lying goes against my principles.
Many people went against the new government policy.
Her decision to quit her job went against her parents’ advice.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is commonly used when discussing rules, beliefs, or opposition.

3. Go Ahead

Meaning: To proceed with something or move forward.
Example Sentences:

Can I borrow your book? – Sure, go ahead!
The manager gave us permission to go ahead with the project.
Even though it was raining, they decided to go ahead with the wedding.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is often used to give permission or to encourage someone to continue.

4. Go Along (With Someone/Something)

Meaning: To agree with or support an idea, plan, or person.
Example Sentences:

I don’t completely agree, but I’ll go along with the plan for now.
She always goes along with whatever her friends say.
The committee went along with the proposed budget changes.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is useful in workplace discussions, decision-making, and group situations.

5. Go Away

Meaning: To leave a place or disappear.
Example Sentences:

I wish my cold would go away before the weekend.
Go away! I need some time to think.
They went away for the holidays and will return next week.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is commonly used to express frustration, travel, or getting rid of something.

6. Go Back

Meaning: To return to a place or a previous state.
Example Sentences:

I had to go back to the store because I forgot my wallet.
He went back to his hometown after many years abroad.
Once you say something, you can’t go back and change it.

Usage Tip:
This is a versatile phrasal verb that can be used in both literal (physical return) and figurative (undoing an action) senses.

7. Go By (Something)

Meaning: To follow a rule, name, or be known as something.
Example Sentences:

He goes by the name “Mike” instead of “Michael.”
I always go by the book when following company policies.
If we go by the weather forecast, it should be sunny tomorrow.

Usage Tip:
This phrasal verb is useful for names, rules, and decision-making.

8. Go Down

Meaning: To decrease, happen, or be remembered.
Example Sentences:

The price of gas has gone down recently.
What went down at the meeting yesterday?
This will go down in history as one of the greatest achievements!

Usage Tip:
This phrase is common in financial, conversational, and historical contexts.

9. Go Off

Meaning: To explode, stop working, or happen suddenly.
Example Sentences:

The bomb went off in the middle of the city.
My alarm didn’t go off this morning, so I was late.
The party really went off! Everyone had a great time.

Usage Tip:
“Go off” is often used for alarms, sudden events, or parties.

10. Go On

Meaning: To continue or happen.
Example Sentences:

Please go on with your story!
What’s going on here?
The meeting went on for hours.

Usage Tip:
This is one of the most commonly used phrasal verbs and is helpful in both casual and formal situations.

11. Go Over (Something)

Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
Example Sentences:

Let’s go over the details one more time before the presentation.
She went over her homework before submitting it.
The doctor went over the test results with the patient.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is useful in academic, business, and professional settings.

12. Go Through (Something)

Meaning: To experience something difficult or to examine something.
Example Sentences:

He went through a tough divorce last year.
We need to go through these documents before signing.
She’s going through a difficult time right now.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is often used when talking about challenges or reviewing information.

13. Go Under

Meaning: To fail, go bankrupt, or sink.
Example Sentences:

The company went under due to financial problems.
If we don’t get more customers, we might go under.
The boat hit a rock and went under.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is often used in business and financial contexts.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the Phrasal Verb to the Meaning

Match each phrasal verb with the correct meaning.

Go over
Go off
Go back
Go ahead
Go through

a) Experience something difficult
b) Continue or proceed
c) Review or examine
d) Return to a place
e) Explode or happen suddenly

(Answer Key: 1-c, 2-e, 3-d, 4-b, 5-a)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb.

I forgot my keys, so I need to ________ home.
Can you ________ my essay and check for mistakes?
My alarm didn’t ________, so I overslept.
It’s a difficult time, but I know you’ll ________ it.
We should ________ with the plan as discussed.

(Answer Key: 1. Go back, 2. Go over, 3. Go off, 4. Go through, 5. Go ahead)

Conclusion

Learning phrasal verbs with “go” will improve your understanding of English and make your speech sound more natural. Try using these in your daily conversations, and don’t forget to go over this lesson regularly to reinforce your knowledge!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are phrasal verbs and why are they important in English?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles, typically an adverb or a preposition, that create a meaning different from the individual words. They are crucial in English because they are used frequently in both spoken and written language. Understanding phrasal verbs can help you sound more natural and fluent, and they often express nuances that single verbs cannot. For example, “go on” can mean to continue, “go off” can suggest leaving or exploding, and “go through” indicates experiencing something, each carrying a unique nuance beyond the base verb “go”. They are essential for understanding everyday conversations, idiomatic expressions, and even cultural references.

2. Can you give examples of phrasal verbs with “go” and their uses in sentences?

Certainly! Here are a few examples of commonly used phrasal verbs with “go”:

– Go on: Usually means to continue. For instance, “Please go on with your story.”

– Go off: This can mean several things, such as leaving, ceasing to function, or even exploding. In a sentence: “The alarm went off at 7 AM.”

– Go out: Often used to describe leaving the house or spending time socially. Example: “We plan to go out for dinner tonight.”

– Go through: It implies experiencing or examining something. For instance: “She had to go through a lot of hardships to succeed.”

Each phrasal verb with “go” is versatile and context-specific, which makes them so interesting and sometimes confusing for learners.

3. How can I practice phrasal verbs with “go” effectively?

Practicing phrasal verbs can be engaging and beneficial if approached interactively. Here are some methods:

– Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning and example sentence on the other. This will help reinforce your memory.

– Engage in Conversations: Try to consciously use them while speaking. Engage with conversation partners or language exchange sessions focused on particular phrasal verbs.

– Watch English Movies or Shows: Pay attention to the dialogues, as phrasal verbs appear naturally in these mediums. Write down any phrasal verbs with “go” that you hear and try to use them yourself.

– Take Quizzes: Online quizzes and exercises specifically designed around phrasal verbs can provide instant feedback and track your progress.

4. How do phrasal verbs with “go” differ from their literal meanings?

Phrasal verbs often adopt metaphorical or idiomatic meanings that differ from the literal meanings of their constituent parts. For instance:

– “Go up” does not always imply physically moving upwards; it can mean something is increasing, like “The prices went up.”

– “Go down” might mean descending, but it can also refer to something decreasing or being remembered in history, such as “This will go down as a significant event.”

The particle in each phrasal verb can dramatically shift the verb’s meaning. Understanding this transformation is key to mastering their use.

5. Why are phrasal verbs with “go” especially challenging for ESL learners?

They are challenging because their meanings are not literal and often need to be memorized. The diversity of meanings for a single phrasal verb with slight contextual changes can be confusing. Additionally, different English-speaking regions may use or interpret them differently, adding another layer of complexity. Non-native speakers need to comprehend the context deeply and often learn through exposure rather than direct translation. However, with practice and exposure, these expressions become much easier to understand and use naturally.