Phrasal verbs are phrases that indicate actions. They are generally used in spoken English and informal texts. Examples of such verbs include: turn down, come across and run into.
Sometimes it is difficult to understand the meaning of phrasal verbs. Before looking them up in a dictionary, it would be helpful to use the context to understand them.
Some phrasal verbs have literal meaning while others have a more idiomatic meaning. For instance, the verb “get down” depending on context can mean:
- Literally move downwards: If there is an earthquake, get down on your knees and crawl under a desk.
- Make someone depressed: This time of the year, the weather always gets me down.
Here is a list of 20 phrasal verbs using the verb “GO”
- Go after: 1. to pursue in an attempt to catch another, 2. To pursue a goal or objective.
Examples: 1. Police, please go after that man who stole my purse! 2. She is so focused and always goes after what she wants.
- Go against: 1. to breach or break. 2. To oppose or resist.
Examples: 1. You can’t smoke here, it goes against the rules. 2. In a dictatorship, no one dares go against the ruling party.
- Go all out: to spare no expenses.
Example: For their 20th wedding anniversary, they went all out and hired Madonna to sing a couple songs!
- Go by: to be called, to use as name.
Example: Her name is too long so she goes by Jos.
- Go for: to try for something or attempt to do something.
Example: I have always wanted to go for a higher paying job but I am too scared.
- Go off: 1. to explode as in being mad. 2. to expire.
Examples: 1. Martin’s boss is constantly going off and shouting at everybody. 2. I hope this milk hasn’t gone off.
- Go on: to continue or proceed with something.
Example: I am not sure if I can go on working with such a messy co-worker.
- Go through: to suffer/experience something.
Example: Going through your first breakup can be traumatizing.
- Go through with: to do something as planned.
Example: She wanted to marry him in December, but I am not sure she will go through with it.
- Go towards: to contribute to something.
Example: All my time is going towards helping people learn English.
- Go under: to collapse/declare bankruptcy.
Example: Many companies have gone under in the last 5 months.
- Go up: 1. to hang something somewhere/ to publish something somewhere 2. to get higher.
Examples: 1. This ad will go up on sunset boulevard. 2. The prices have gone up 10% in comparison to last year’s holiday season.
- Go without: to live without something.
Example: Many people will go without a nice meal on Christmas Eve.
- Go over: to review something carefully.
Example: It is important to go over all the details before signing the agreement.
- Go along with: to cooperate or agree with something/someone.
Example: I don’t want to have problems with my co-worker so I usually just go along with that she wants.
- Go about: to carry on with your activities.
Example: Larry always drops by and says hello when he goes about his business in the city center.
- Go ahead: to continue or proceed.
Example: My boss said I can go ahead and try to get that client we’ve been discussing!
- Go into: to speak about something in detail.
Example: Why I left my job is not something I want to go into at the moment.
- Go back on: to deny or retract from a promise you have made before.
Example: My supervisor promised me a raise if I got a big client and now he’s going back on his word and refuses to raise my salary!
- Go overboard: to act in an extreme way or do too much.
Example: He hired 2 clowns, a magician, and 5 people to play characters from Shrek for his son’s 1st birthday. You could say he went overboard with it.
If you’d like to practice these phrasal verbs head on to our quizlet by copying this link quizlet.com/pl/347036245/20-phrasal-verbs-with-go-eklektikapl-flash-cards/