Verb go

Usage and typical errors

Went looks nothing like go: it comes from another old verb ('wend') that English adopted as its past. The participle gone combines with been in ways that change meaning: 'he has gone to Chile' (he's there) vs 'he has been to Chile' (already back). 'Going to' builds the future of intention ('I'm going to study'), where go loses its movement sense. Typical error: 'I go to the party yesterday' — with yesterday, always went. And 'go to home' doesn't exist: it's 'go home', no preposition, one of the exceptions to memorize. The phrasal 'go on' (continue, happen) and 'go off' (explode, of an alarm sounding) multiply the verb beyond movement. 'Go off' also means food spoiling; 'go through' is crossing a hard time or reviewing papers. One verb, four universes.

Same pattern: suppletive

Frequently asked