Phrasal verb - a combination of the specified part of speech with a postposition (adverb or preposition), resulting in a new semantic unit with a different meaning. This is a fairly broad topic that requires detailed consideration and elaboration. But since there are many constructions, you should first choose a small number of phrases that you can use in speech and writing. This article focuses on the word go, a phrasal verb that has many uses.
Basic meanings and forms of the verb to go
The word to go is one of the most common words in the English language and has many meanings. The following are just some translations:
- go, walk;
- go;
- to be in circulation (about money, coins);
- sound (about the bell);
- to be sold (at a specific price);
- pass, disappear;
- cancel;
- collapse;
- crash.
Which of the meanings to choose when translating, the context will tell. By the meaning, you will be able to understand what is meant. One of the common mistakes made by beginners is trying to translate verbatim,using the first definition in the dictionary that appears in the list of values. Also, remember that this is an irregular verb. Has the following forms: go, went, gone.
Go - phrasal verb combined with prepositions
The following are the most common combinations. In order to master this topic well, take a few phrases, work through them with exercises, come up with examples with each of them and try to make them part of your active vocabulary by using them in speech. Over time, this seemingly complex topic will become an integral part of your knowledge.
Go: Phrasal verb combined with prepositions:
| go | about |
1) walk, inspect, stroll; 2) circulate, walk (about rumors); 3) start (some business). |
| after | chase, chase | |
| for |
1) pounce, collapse; 2) strive. |
|
| in for | get involved, practice | |
| into | explore, study | |
| off |
1) explode, shoot; 2) pass, go; 3) get worse, deteriorate; 4) lose consciousness. |
|
| on |
1) keep doing something (persistently), move on; 2) take place, happen. |
|
| on with | continue | |
| out |
1) go out, be in society; 2) go outout of fashion; 3) turn off. |
|
| over |
1) go; 2) move (to the other side); 3) view, reread 4) study in detail, inspect. |
|
| through |
1) discuss in detail, carefully consider (the question); 2) experience, experience; 3) do, perform. |
|
| to | have worries, incur costs | |
| under | crash | |
| up |
1) come close, get closer; 2) go to the capital (from the suburbs, villages); 3) grow, rise (about prices); 4) to build. |
|
| with | match, harmonize | |
| without | do without anything |
In addition to various combinations, it should be remembered that some phrases have several meanings. For example, the phrasal verb go off covers at least 4 translations.
Go + adverbs
Verb combinations with adverbs are somewhat inferior in number to phrases with prepositions. However, the phrases presented in this section are no less common. They are quite common both in the everyday speech of native speakers and in modern literature.
Go: phrasal verb combined with adverbs:
| go | aside | step aside |
| ahead | move forward, go forward | |
| away | get away, get away | |
| back | return | |
| by |
1) be guided; 2) work with something. |
|
| down |
1) leave (for the city, to the village); 2) fall, decline; 3) sink (about the ship); 4) believe, trust; 5) subside (about the storm). |
|
| down with | get sick, get infected |
Phrasal verb go: Usage examples
The vocabulary of a foreign language, whether it is a word, a set expression or a construction, is better absorbed in practice. Simply memorizing a list of words is not a very effective method, as knowing individual words is not enough. After all, the main difficulties may arise when trying to combine them into a proposal. In order to harmoniously master the new material, it is best to immediately put it into practice: read ready-made examples and make your own.
- The tourists go about London. - Tourists walk around London.
- I must go about this work tomorrow. - I have to start this job tomorrow.
- Let's go aside, I have to tell you something. - Let's step aside, I need to tell you something.
- Animals go by instinct. - Animals are guided by instincts.
- I go in for sports from a childhood. - I've been doing sports since childhood.
- The milk went off. - The milk has gone bad.
- She likes to go out. - She likes going out.
- She went up to him and asked something. - She approached him and asked something.
Try to replace commonly used phrases with synonyms - this will diversify speech. For example, a simple question "what's going on?" can be translated in different ways: What's happening?, Is there something up?, What's going on? (phrasal verb is quite common).
Constancy and perseverance are the main secrets of success. To understand any topic in English well, you need to regularly devote time to it. Daily lessons of 15-30 minutes are much more effective than one long lesson once a week.
