go
Primary: verbCan function as: verb, noun
Zero derivation from verb to noun (e.g., 'have a go')
๐ Pronunciation
/ษกษส/ (UK), /ษกoส/ (US)
Syllables: go
Stress: single syllable
Long vowel sound, consistent across varieties
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Word Family
| Word Class | Forms |
|---|---|
| Verbs | go, goes, went, gone, going |
| Nouns | go, goer, going |
| Adjectives | going, gone |
Many phrasal verbs: go on, go out, go up, go down, go through, etc.
๐ฏ Verb Forms
| Infinitive: | to go |
| Base form: | go |
| 3rd person singular: | goes |
| Past simple: | went |
| Past participle: | gone/been |
| Present participle: | going |
| Gerund: | going |
Note: Highly irregular past form 'went' from different Old English verb
๐ Meanings & Definitions
Noun Meanings
1
an attempt or try at something
Countability: countable
“Let me have a go at solving the puzzle”
“It's your go now”
Common collocations: have a go, give it a go, first go
Synonyms: attempt, try, turn
informal
Verb Meanings
1
to move or travel from one place to another
“I go to work by bus”
“She went to Paris last summer”
Synonyms: move, travel, proceed
neutral
2
to function or work properly
“My watch has stopped going”
“The engine won't go”
Synonyms: work, function, operate
neutral
3
to become or change state
“The milk has gone sour”
“She went pale”
Synonyms: become, turn, get
neutral
๐ง Verb Patterns
go + preposition/adverb
“go up/down/in/out”
Note: Very productive with directional particles
go + -ing
“go shopping/swimming/dancing”
Note: Used for activities
go + adjective
“go crazy/wild/bankrupt”
Note: For change of state
Transitivity
Type: intransitive
Passive possible: No
๐ค Collocations
โ ๏ธ Common Errors
โ I am going in the cinemaโโ I am going to the cinema
Confusion with prepositions
Common for: Common in multiple language groups
Medium impact
โ I go to Paris last yearโโ I went to Paris last year
Using present for past events
โ She has went homeโโ She has gone home
Confusion between past simple and participle
๐ Etymology
Origin: Old English 'gan'
Original meaning: “to walk, proceed”
Development: One of oldest English verbs, suppletive past tense from different root
๐ Register & Frequency
Frequency: top 100 words
Spoken: very common
Written: very common
Academic: common
Business: common
Formality: neutral