I want to show you how to use collocations with the word GO.
We can use GO in many collocation forms. And I have outlined below the most common ways to use them.
Let’s dive right in and take a look!
GO
There are many ways of using GO with a noun, an adjective or an adverb.
Take a look below to see the ways you can use the word GO in different phrases.
Go + A Place
The most common expressions are to use GO with a location or place.
Go Home
Go Abroad
Go Overseas
Go + A Place Example Sentences
I can’t wait to go home today!
We’re going abroad for our holidays this year.
I have to go overseas on a business trip next month.
Go + Activity or Past Time
We can use go in conjunction with an activity, a hobby or a pastime that you like to do.
Go Swimming
Go Fishing
Go Running
Go Shopping
Go Online
Go Sailing
Go Jogging
Go + Activity or Past Time Example Sentences
I try to go swimming at least once a week.
If the weather is nice, I go fishing down by the lake on a Sunday.
I go running most mornings. Just a few laps around the park.
I love to go shopping with my friends at the weekend.
I go online as soon as I finish my homework.
When we go down to the sea, we go sailing on my uncle’s boat.
I am putting on so much weight! I think I need to go jogging!
Go + Giving Directions
And of course, we can use GO when giving directions to someone.
Go North/South/East/West
Go Straight Ahead
Go Up/Down
Go + Giving Directions Example Sentences
Just go north for about fifteen minutes, then go right.
Go straight ahead and you can see it.
Go up the stairs. His office is on the left.
Go + Conditions or States
We can use GO plus an adjective to describe the state or condition of a person or thing.
Go Bad
Go Bald
Go Bankrupt
Go Blind
Go Crazy
Go Deaf
Go Insane
Go Mad
Go Missing
Go + Conditions or States Example Sentences
Usually, we use past tenses when saying these phrases though — either past simple or present perfect tenses.
Don’t drink that milk! It’s gone bad!
My father went bald when he was in his thirties.
I am going bald! What can I do?
The company went bankrupt last year.
My grandmother went blind a few years ago. She cannot see anything now.
I asked my boss for a raise and he went crazy!
I went to a rock concert last night. Now, I think I’ve gone deaf!
Some people say that Tesla went insane towards the end of his life.
Don’t tell my mum or she will go mad!
A man went missing last week and has not been seen since.
Go + Adjective or Adverb
We can use GO plus an adjective or adverb to describe how an event or a situation went.
Go Quiet
Go Well
Go Badly
Go Smoothly
Go + Adjective or Adverb Example Sentences
We usually use past tenses in these phrases.
I raised a question in class and the whole room went quiet.
I had an interview yesterday — I think it went well.
He had a date last night, but he said it went badly.
The meeting went smoothly this morning.
Now You Try!
Try to make your own sentences for situations in your own life using the collocations above.
Speak them out loud.
Check out my other great articles on English collocations.
How to crush English collocations today
How to Use English Collocations with the Verb To Have
GO + TO + THE OR A
Go + To
Another very common use of GO in collocations is with the word TO.
Here are some examples:
Go To Hospital
Go To Prison
Go To Class
Go To School
Go To War
Go To Bed
Go To University
Go To Sleep
Go To Dinner
Go To America
Go To Hell
With these collocations, we don’t use the definite article the. That’s because we are speaking in a more general way about a place or the idea of a place.
Go + To Example Sentences
I have to go to hospital. I think I’ve got a stomach infection.
If you steal something, you might go to prison.
I can’t meet you now. I have to go to class.
I go to school every morning at 8:30.
A country has threatened to go to war with its neighbour.
I go to bed quite early, about 9pm most nights.
I want to go to university when I leave high school.
I go to sleep very late — usually after midnight.
Let’s go to dinner this week!
I would love to go to America!
I hate you! Go to hell!
Go + To The
We can also use GO with the words TO THE. We use this collocation to talk about a specific place.
Go To The Park
Go To The Pub
Go To The Beach
Go To The Zoo
Go To The Doctors
Go To The Bank
Go To The Supermarket
Go + To The Example Sentences
I like to go to the park in the evening.
We should go to the pub and have a drink.
It’s a beautiful day. Let’s go to the beach.
Let’s go to the zoo. We haven’t been in a long time.
I don’t feel well… I might have to go to the doctor.
I better go to the bank and get some cash.
We need to buy some more food. Let’s go to the supermarket.
Go + To A
We use GO + TO A when talking about a non-specific place.
Go To A Party
Go To A Concert
Go To A Meeting
Go To A Restaurant
Go + To A Example Sentences
We might use past tense (I went to…), present continuous future tense (I’m going to…) when using these collocations.
I went to a party last weekend. It was really fun!
We’re going to a concert tonight. It should be great.
I’m sorry, I can’t talk now — I’m going to a meeting.
We went to a restaurant last night. Italian. It was delicious!
Now You Try!
Try to make your own sentences about your own life using the collocations above.
Speak them out loud!
GO + ON
There are two ways to use GO with ON.
We can say GO ON or GO ON A.
Go + On
These are some collocations with GO ON.
Go On Holiday
Go On Foot
Go + On Example Sentences
We like to go on holiday at least once a year. Usually, we go to a place like Spain or France.
I usually go on foot to school every morning.
Go + On + A/An
And these are some common collocations using GO ON A
Go On A Hike
Go On A Safari
Go On An Adventure
Go On A Cruise
Go On A Trip
Go On A Date
Go On A Picnic
Go + On + A/An Example Sentences
When using these collocations, we usually use past or future tenses.
I’m going on a hike this weekend. I can’t wait!
We went to Africa and went on a safari. We saw so many animals.
I’m going on an adventure! I want to see the world!
We went on a cruise around The Scandinavian countries. It was so beautiful!
I’m going on a trip this Friday with my classmates.
I went on a date last week with this boy I met. But it was a disaster!
We’re all going on a picnic this weekend — would you like to come?
Now You Try!
Try to make your own sentences about your life using the collocations above.
Write them down, then say them out loud.
GO + FOR
We use GO plus FOR plus a noun to talk about something we would like to do. Usually, an activity or recreational thing.
Here are a few examples
Go For A Jog
Go For A Drink
Go For A Coffee
Go For A Rest
Go For A Ride
Go For A Swim
Go For A Run
GO + FOR Example Sentences
And this is how we can use them. Note that we can use these collocations in present, past and future tenses.
I like to go for a jog in the morning.
I’m going for a drink tonight. Want to join me?
Let’s go for a coffee this afternoon.
I’m so tired. I’m going for a rest for a while.
I bought a new car. Let’s go for a ride.
I’m going for a swim this weekend at the beach.
I went for a run this morning. I feel great!
Now You Try!
Use all the collocation forms above and try to make sentences about your own life.
Speak out loud!
GO + UP
We can use GO plus UP when talking about directions.
Here are some examples.
Go Up The Hill
Go Up The Road
Go Up The Mountain
GO + UP Example Sentences
I like to go up the hill near my house for exercise in the morning.
Mum, I’m just going up the road to see my friends.
We went up the mountain in Nepal. It was amazing!
Now You Try!
Make your own sentences — you know what to do…
GO + OUT + OF
We use GO plus OUT plus OF to talk about something that has transpired or stopped existing.
Two common examples are:
Go Out Of Business
Go Out Of Fashion
GO + OUT + OF Example Sentences
We often use present perfect or past tense when using these collocations.
His company has closed down. It went out of business.
Those kinds of trousers are not popular anymore. They have gone out of fashion.
Now You Try!
Make your own sentences. Speak out loud!
GO + THROUGH
And we use GO plus THROUGH when talking about directions too.
Go Through The Woods
Go Through The Park
Go Through The Door
GO + THROUGH Example Sentences
I go through the woods sometimes, when I’m walking my dog.
I like to go through the park in the evening.
Go through the door and you can see his office on the right.
Now You Try!
Use the collocations above to make your own sentences about your life.
GO + DOWN
We also use GO plus DOWN to talk about directions of where we are going.
Go Down Town
Go Down The Road
Go Down The Pub
GO + DOWN Example Sentences
Let’s go downtown this Saturday. I need to buy some new shoes.
I’m just going down the road to buy some milk.
I’m going down the pub this Friday to meet my friends.
Now You Try!
Make your own sentences! Speak out loud!
Unique Collocations with GO
There are some collocations with GO that are unique.
Let’s take a look at some examples and what they mean.
Let’s Go
This means let’s leave right now.
It’s five o’clock — let’s go!
Go Check
This means to check something that you are working on or to confirm something.
I think I left the lights on. Can you check?
Go Figure
The meaning here is, Can you believe it? Sometimes used sarcastically to express disbelief.
I missed the last bus because I was working so late. Go figure!
Go Look/See
We use this to ask someone to look or see at something.
I think I left my bag in the car. Can you go and look?
Go United
This phrase is used to cheer your football team — or any other sports team.
Go United!
Go Green
This phrase is used to talk about someone’s desire to recycle plastics.
We are trying to go green this year…
Whose Go Is It?
We use this when playing a game. You want to know whose turn it is to play.
Whose go is it? I think it’s John’s go.
Go Get ‘Em!
We can use this phrase to encourage someone to do their best in a job interview.
Good luck on Monday… Go get ’em!
Go To Hell
This phrase is used to tell someone to go away. It is impolite!
I told him to go to hell!
Conclusion
As with all collocations, you need to use them in your daily life.
Make your own collocations that are about you and your own life. Then start using them as often as you can.
Keep practising and you will be able to use GO collocations in no time
Let me know your thoughts below…
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