Phrasal verb is a combination of the indicated part of speech with a postposition (adverb or preposition), as a result of which a new semantic unit is formed, which has a different meaning. This is a rather extensive topic requiring detailed consideration and study. But since there are many constructions, for a start you should choose a small number of phrases that you can apply in oral and written speech. This article discusses 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 in the English language, and has many meanings. The following are just some of the translation options:
- to go, to walk;
- go;
- to be in circulation (about money, coins);
- to sound (about a bell);
- to be sold (at a specific price);
- pass, disappear;
- cancel
- to crumble;
- crash.
Which of the values to choose during the translation, the context will tell. By meaning, you can understand what is meant. One of the common mistakes made by beginners is an attempt to translate verbatim using the first definition in the dictionary, which is listed in the list of meanings. It should also be remembered that this is an irregular verb. It has the following forms: go, went, gone.
Go - phrase verb combined with prepositions
The following are the most common combinations. In order to master this topic well, take a few phrases, work them out with exercises, come up with each of them examples and try to make them part of your active vocabulary, applying in speech. Over time, this seemingly complex topic will become an integral part of your knowledge.
Go: phrase verb combined with prepositions:
| go | about | 1) walk, inspect, walk;
2) circulate, walk (about rumors);
3) proceed (to any case). |
| after | to chase |
| for | 1) pounce, collapse;
2) strive. |
| in for | get involved |
| into | explore, study |
| off | 1) to explode, shoot;
2) pass, go;
3) get worse, deteriorate;
4) lose consciousness. |
| on | 1) continue to do something (persistently),
move on;
2) to take place, to occur. |
| on with | proceed |
| out | 1) go out, be in society;
2) go out of fashion;
3) go out. |
| over | 1) to go;
2) move (to the other side);
3) view, re-read
4) study in detail, inspect. |
| through | 1) discuss in detail, carefully consider (question);
2) survive, experience;
3) to do, execute. |
| to | have worries, bear expenses |
| under | crash |
| up | 1) come close, get closer;
2) travel to the capital (from the suburbs, villages);
3) grow, rise (about prices);
4) to be built. |
| 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 phrase verb go off covers at least 4 translations.
Go + adverbs
Verbal combinations with adverbs in number are somewhat inferior to phrases with prepositions. However, the phrases presented in this section are no less common. They are found quite often both in the everyday speech of native speakers, and in modern literature.
Go: Phrase verb combined with adverbs:
| go | aside | step aside |
| ahead | move forward |
| away | go away |
| back | return |
| by | 1) be guided by;
2) work with something. |
| down | 1) to leave (out of town, in a village);
2) fall, decline;
3) to sink (about the ship);
4) believe, trust;
5) subside (about the storm). |
| down with | get sick, get infected |
Phrasal verb go: examples of use
The vocabulary of a foreign language, whether it be a word, a stable 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 new material, it is best to immediately use it in practice: read ready-made examples and create your own.
- The tourists go about London. - Tourists walk around London.
- I must go about this work tomorrow. - I have to take up this work 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 have been playing sports since childhood.
- The milk went off . - The milk is spoiled.
- She likes to go out . “She likes going out into society.”
- She went up to him and asked something. - She went up to him and asked something.
Try to replace common phrases with synonyms - this will diversify the speech. For example, the simple question "what is happening?" can be translated in different ways: What's happening ?, Is there something up ?, What's going on? (phrasal verb is quite common).
Persistence and perseverance are the key to success. To understand a topic well in English, 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.