go by — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

go by

1time passes 2be guided by 3use as identity

Meaning 1 · most common

time passes

time/period go by

to describe how time passes, especially when it seems to move quickly or slowly.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The weekend seemed to go by so quickly.

A: Can you believe it's already Friday?
B: I know! This week just went by in a flash.

Common mistake

Not: ~~The time~~ goes by so ~~fastly.~~

Say: Time goes by so fast.

'Fast' is already the adverb (not 'fastly'), and 'time' is usually uncountable here (no 'the').

More on “time passes”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the exam, I felt like time was going by much faster than usual.

Tell it apart

The weeks just went by.

time passed

I go by my middle name.

am known as

Goes with

go by

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Next meaning: be guided by

Meaning 2

be guided by

go by sth

to use something, such as information or rules, to make a decision or form an opinion.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I usually go by the instructions when assembling furniture.

A: How do you decide which route to take?
B: I just go by the GPS.

Common mistake

Not: Don't go ~~with~~ first impressions.

Say: Don't go by first impressions.

'Go BY' = judge/decide from. 'Go with' = choose. Different verbs.

More on “be guided by”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When making important decisions, I prefer to go by facts rather than opinions.

Tell it apart

Don't go by the price alone.

judge from it

Three weeks went by.

time passed

Goes with

go by + guide

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Next meaning: use as identity

Meaning 3

use as identity

go by name/alias

to be known or called by a particular name or alias, especially one that is different from your official or original name.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Although her full name is Alexandra, she goes by Alex at work.

A: Is 'Sam' short for something?
B: Yeah, my real name is Samantha, but I go by Sam.

Common mistake

Not: She goes by ~~with the name~~ Liz.

Say: She goes by Liz.

'Go by + name' directly — no 'with the name'.

More on “use as identity”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In many cultures, individuals may go by a nickname or a shortened version of their name in professional or social settings.

Tell it apart

He goes by his nickname.

is known as

We should go by the schedule.

follow it

Goes with

go by + name

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time passes be guided by use as identity