How to use the verb ‘go’ in English

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  • How to use verb go in English: Grammar chart

    In the table below, you can see the different ways to use the verb go in English.

    Educational chart showcasing various structures with the verb 'go' in English, including 'GO + direction/place', 'GO + -ing verb', 'GO TO + noun (place)', 'GO TO THE + noun (common place)', 'GO FOR A + noun (activity)', and 'GO ON A + noun (trip or similar)' with examples for each usage.

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    Go + -ing

    We use go + -ing verb for many sports, and also some other activities like shopping, dancing, clubbing, etc. 

    • I want to go shopping this afternoon.
    • We went kayaking on Lake Michigan.

    Go to

    Work/bed

    We don’t use the in the expressions go to work and go to bed.

    • What time do you go to work?
    • I’m tired. I‘m going to bed. 

    School/university

    We say go to school or go to university without the to mean that go to those places as students.

    • They couldn’t go to school for a few days because of the snow.
    • Almost 40% of young people go to university. 

    Prison

    We say go to prison when someone is taken there as a prisoner.

    • He could go to prison if the judge finds him guilty. 

    Go to a/the

    We use go to a/the + nouns describing places or events. We use go to + the before nouns of places that we typically go in the city.

    • I need to go to the dentist. 
    • I‘m going to the bank. 

    You can know when we use a or the by checking the use of articles in English.

    Go for a

    We use go for a before nouns describing acitivities, such as a swim, a run, a walk, a ride, a drink, etc.

    • The weather is great today. I’m going to go for a swim.
    • I have a new bike. Would you like to go for a ride with me?

    Go on a

    We use go on a before nouns related to holidays, trips or similar, such as holiday, trip, journey, excursion, tour, cruise, etc.

    • He went on a cruise with his family.
    • Let’s go on an excursion to explore the area. 

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