Part 3 of 3 · Same verb · different particle

“go” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. “go” has 16 of them, so they come in 3 parts. Learn these 5 one at a time, then test yourself.

16 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

out out with over over to through

go + out · 1 of 5

go out

leave home socially

go out with sb/for sth

A scene showing “go out” meaning “leave home to have fun”.

To leave your home, especially to meet people or enjoy yourself.

How oftenVery common

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I usually go out with my friends on Friday nights.

A: Are you doing anything tonight?
B: Yeah, I'm going out for dinner with my sister.

Common mistake

Not: We went ~~outside~~ for dinner last night.

Say: We went out for dinner last night.

'Go out' (socialise) isn't 'go outside' (step into the open air).

More on “go out”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Personally, I don't go out very often during the week because I have a lot of homework, but I like to meet my friends at the weekend.

Tell it apart

Let's go out for dinner.

leave home socially

The lights went out.

stopped working

Goes with

go out + for/-ing

Practice saying this

Next: go out with

go + out with · 2 of 5

go out with

have a romantic relationship

go out with person
informal

to regularly spend time with someone as their boyfriend or girlfriend.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Anna is going out with Tom—they've been together for six months.

A: Are you and Jake just friends?
B: No, we're actually going out with each other.

Common mistake

Not: I'm going out her.

Say: I'm going out with her.

Don't drop 'with' — 'go out WITH someone' = date them. ('Go out' alone = leave the house for fun.)

More on “go out with”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my country, it's common for people to go out with someone for a year or two before getting married.

Tell it apart

They've been going out with each other for a year.

dating

They went out for dinner.

left the house to do something

Goes with

go out with + person

Practice saying this

Next: go over

go + over · 3 of 5

go over

check or explain carefully

go over sth

To look at or talk through something carefully — to check it, or to explain it step by step.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I need to go over my notes before the exam.

A: Did you finish your assignment?
B: Not yet, I want to go over it one more time to check for mistakes.

Common mistake

Not: I need to go over ~~again~~ my ~~answers.~~

Say: I need to go over my answers again.

'Again' goes after the object, not between 'go over' and the object.

More on “go over”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Before giving my presentation, I always go over my main points to make sure I remember everything.

Tell it apart

I'll go over my notes alone.

review for myself

I'll go over the topic with the class.

explain it to them

Goes with

go over + again

Practice saying this

Next: go over to

go + over to · 4 of 5

go over to

visit someone at their place

go over to sth
informal

to travel to someone’s home or location, usually for a short visit.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I might go over to Sarah’s after dinner to help her with her homework.

A: What are you doing this evening?
B: I’m going over to my cousin’s place to watch a movie.

Common mistake

Not: I went over my friend's house.

Say: I went over to my friend's house.

Don't drop 'to' — 'go over TO a place/person'.

More on “go over to”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I have free time on weekends, I usually go over to my grandparents’ house to spend time with them.

Tell it apart

I went over to Sam's.

visited Sam's place

We went over the plan.

reviewed it carefully

Goes with

go over to + place/person

Practice saying this

Next: go through

go + through · 5 of 5

go through

experience something difficult or unpleasant

go through sth

to experience a difficult, unpleasant, or challenging situation or period in your life.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

She went through a lot after losing her job.

A: You seem a bit down lately. Everything okay?
B: Yeah, I've just been going through some personal stuff.

Common mistake

Not: He went through ~~with~~ a divorce last year.

Say: He went through a divorce last year.

'Go through + experience'. 'Go through WITH' means force yourself to complete something — different meaning.

More on “go through”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During my teenage years, I went through many changes that helped me become more independent.

Tell it apart

She went through a rough patch.

experienced it

They went through the budget.

examined it

Goes with

go through + ordeal

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “go” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “go” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

All of “go”

16 phrasal verbs in 3 parts.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

go out go out with go over go over to go through