What is go? Pronunciation and usage in English

go means . Learn the correct pronunciation, how to use the word in real-life contexts with examples and easy-to-understand memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of go

goverb

/ɡəʊ/
Definition & pronunciation of go

The word "go" in English has a surprisingly tricky pronunciation! Here's a breakdown:

The Short "Go" (Most Common):

  • Pronunciation: /ɡoʊ/ (rhymes with "toe")
  • How to do it:
    • "G" sound: Make a clear "g" sound – like in "good."
    • "O" sound: This is the tricky part. It's a rounded vowel sound, almost like you're saying "oh." Your lips should be rounded as if you're about to whistle. It's not a short "o" like in "hot."
  • Example: "Let's go!" (toe)

The Long "Go" (Less Common, More Regional):

  • Pronunciation: /ɡoʊ/ (rhymes with "low")
  • How to do it:
    • "G" sound: Same as above – clear "g" like in "good."
    • "O" sound: This is a longer, more open "o" sound. Think of it as a sustained "oh" – like you’re holding the sound out slightly.
  • Where you might hear it: This pronunciation is more common in some parts of the US (especially the Midwest and parts of the South), and depending on your accent, it might be perceived as more "standard." However, the short "go" (/ɡoʊ/) is definitely the most widely accepted and understood pronunciation.

Resources to Help:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/go/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce "go" from different regions.
  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce go in English" on YouTube and you’ll find many helpful videos with visual demonstrations.

To summarize: When in doubt, say "toe" (/ɡoʊ/). It’s almost always correct!

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Usage and examples with the word go in English

Let's break down how to use the word "go" in English – it's a surprisingly versatile word with lots of different meanings and usages! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. As a Verb – To Start Moving

  • Basic meaning: This is the most common use - to begin movement.
    • "I go to the store every day."
    • "She goes for a run in the morning."
    • "They go on a trip next week."

2. As a Verb – To Proceed / Happen

  • Starting an activity: Often used to initiate something.

    • "Let's go!" (meaning "Let's start!")
    • "We’re going to watch a movie." (meaning "We are planning to watch a movie.")
    • "I need to go and check my email." (meaning "I need to go and look at my email.")

  • Something happening: To describe an event unfolding.

    • "The sun goes down at 6 pm." (describing the occurrence of the sunset)
    • "The rain goes on and on." (describing the persistent rain)

3. As a Verb – To Leave / Depart

  • Leaving a place: “To go” means to depart from a location.
    • “I go home now.”
    • “He goes to the airport.”

4. As a Verb – To Exist / Be Located

  • Referring to something’s existence or location: This is a less common but important usage.
    • “Coffee goes well with chocolate.” (meaning “Coffee is a good accompaniment to chocolate.”)
    • "My favorite color goes with almost everything." (meaning "My favorite color suits many outfits")

5. As an Auxiliary Verb (Helping Verb - often with "be" to form continuous tenses)

  • Going to + verb: Used to express future action (similar to "will").
    • “I am going to visit my grandparents.”
    • “She was going to study abroad.”

6. As an Interjection (An exclamation)

  • A short, enthusiastic encouragement: Used to signal movement or action.
    • "Go on! Tell me what happened!"
    • "Go ahead!" (meaning "Go ahead and do it!")

7. Phrases Using "Go"

  • "Go out": To leave home and spend time doing something. "I'm going out with friends tonight."
  • "Go on": Continue, proceed, or speak. "Go on, tell me the story."
  • "Go through": To experience, examine, or be affected by something. "I'm going through a difficult time."
  • "Go ahead": To start or proceed. "Go ahead and sit down."
  • "Go on to": To continue to something else. “She went on to study medicine.”
  • "Give way": To yield or allow someone/something to pass. "The pedestrian has the right of way, give way."

Tips for Understanding Usage

  • Context is key: The meaning of "go" almost always depends on the context of the sentence.
  • Pay attention to the verb forms: “Go,” “goes,” “going,” “gone” all have slightly different meanings and usages.

Resources for Further Learning:

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Synonyms for the word go

Idioms of the word go

anything goes
(informal)anything that somebody says or does is accepted or allowed, even if it shocks or surprises people
  • Almost anything goes these days.
as people, things, etc. go
in comparison with the average person, thing, etc.
  • As teachers go, he's not bad.
be going on (for) something
(British English)to be nearly a particular age, time or number
  • It was going on (for) midnight.
be going to do something
used to show what somebody intends to do in the future
  • We're going to buy a house when we've saved enough money.
used to show that something is likely to happen very soon or in the future
  • I think I'm going to faint.
  • If the drought continues there's going to be a famine.
don’t go doing something
(informal)used to tell or warn somebody not to do something
  • Don't go getting yourself into trouble.
enough/something to be going on with
(British English)something that is enough for a short time
  • £50 should be enough to be going on with.
go all out for something | go all out to do something
to make a very great effort to get something or do something
    go and do something
    used to show that you are angry or annoyed that somebody has done something stupid
    • Trust him to go and mess things up!
    • Why did you have to go and upset your mother like that?
    • You've really gone and done it (= done something very stupid) now!
    go off on one
    (British English, informal)to suddenly become very angry
    • Now and again she really goes off on one.
    go on (with you)
    (old-fashioned)used to express the fact that you do not believe something, or that you think something is bad
    • Go on with you—you’re never forty. You don’t look a day over thirty.
    (have) a lot, nothing, etc. going for you
    (to have) many/not many advantages
    • You're young, intelligent, attractive—you have a lot going for you!
    no go
    (informal)not possible or allowed
    • If the bank won't lend us the money it's no go, I'm afraid.
    not (even) go there
    (informal)used to say that you do not want to talk about something in any more detail because you do not even want to think about it
    • Don't ask me to choose. I don't want to go there.
    • ‘There was a problem with his parents, wasn't there?’ ‘Don't even go there!’
    ready, steady, go!
    what you say to tell people to start a race
      to be going on with
      to start with; for now
      • ‘One slice or two?’ ‘Just one to be going on with.’
      to go
      that remains; still left
      • I only have one exam to go.
      (North American English, informal)if you buy cooked food to go in a restaurant or shop, you buy it to take away and eat somewhere else
      • Two pizzas to go.
      what goes around comes around
      the way somebody behaves towards other people will affect the way those people behave towards them in the future
        something that is not fashionable now will become fashionable again in the future
          where does somebody go from here?
          used to ask what action somebody should take, especially in order to improve the difficult situation that they are in
            who goes there?
            used by a soldier who is guarding a place to order somebody to say who they are
            • Halt, who goes there?

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