Go + Gerund
The construction “go + gerund” is a common and useful English language structure, often used to talk about activities, particularly recreational or leisure activities. In this construction, “go” is followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) to describe an action that is generally done outside the home or as part of a leisure activity. This structure emphasizes the activity itself rather than the act of moving to a place to perform the activity.
Common Examples:
- go swimming – “We’re planning to go swimming at the lake this weekend.”
- go shopping – “She likes to go shopping on Saturdays.”
- go hiking – “They go hiking in the mountains whenever they get the chance.”
- go fishing – “He’s gone fishing for the day.”
- go skiing – “We’re going skiing in Colorado this winter.”
Welcome to gerunds and infinitives
Usage:
- Describing Activities: This construction is primarily used for talking about leisure and recreational activities. It’s a convenient way to mention the activity without specifying the destination or details.
- Action Focus: The focus is on the activity rather than the destination. For example, “go swimming” emphasizes the act of swimming, possibly at a pool, lake, or ocean, without necessarily mentioning the specific location.
- Plurality and Tense: The gerund does not change form based on tense or subject plurality. The changes for tense are made through the verb “go,” which can be conjugated accordingly (e.g., went skiing, goes running).
Grammatical Structure:
The structure is relatively simple:
- Base form of “go” + Gerund (verb-ing)
This structure is versatile and can be adapted to various tenses and aspects by modifying “go” (e.g., “going to go swimming,” “went fishing”).
Why It’s Useful:
The “go + gerund” construction is especially helpful in everyday conversation because it allows speakers to talk about common activities in a concise and clear manner. It’s widely used in spoken English and informal writing, making it a crucial part of learning conversational English.
Understanding and practicing this construction can enhance fluency and confidence in English, especially in discussing hobbies, leisure activities, and plans.
Go + Gerund
- go biking – “I love to go biking through the park in autumn.”
- go boating – “They’re planning to go boating on the lake next weekend.”
- go bowling – “We should go bowling; it’s been ages since we last played.”
- go climbing – “He’s gone climbing in the Rockies.”
- go diving – “She wants to go diving in the Great Barrier Reef.”
- go driving – “Sometimes, I just go driving with no particular destination in mind.”
- go fishing – “He’s gone fishing for the day.”
- go hiking – “They go hiking in the mountains whenever they get the chance.”
- go hunting – “They often go hunting in the fall.”
- go jogging – “I go jogging every morning to start my day.”
- go kayaking – “We’re going kayaking down the river next Saturday.”
- go mountain biking – “He loves to go mountain biking on challenging trails.”
- go painting – “She likes to go painting outdoors to capture the natural light.”
- go paragliding – “I’m going to go paragliding during my vacation in Switzerland.”
- go rollerblading – “My kids go rollerblading in the park on sunny days.”
- go running – “I go running every morning before work.”
- go sailing – “They go sailing every summer without fail.”
- go shopping – “She likes to go shopping on Saturdays.”
- go skateboarding – “He goes skateboarding in the skate park after school.”
- go skiing – “We’re going skiing in Colorado this winter.”
- go snowboarding – “They plan to go snowboarding in Japan next year.”
- go surfing – “Every summer, we go surfing at Bondi Beach.”
- go swimming – “We’re planning to go swimming at the lake this weekend.”
- go walking – “I often go walking along the beach to clear my mind.”
- go windsurfing – “He’s learning to go windsurfing.”
- go zip-lining – “For her birthday, she wants to go zip-lining in the forest.”
Practice this questions / Answer the question
What’s your favorite outdoor activity, and why do you enjoy it?
I love to go hiking because it helps me relax and enjoy nature.
Have you ever gone skydiving, or would you like to try it? Why or why not?
I’ve never gone skydiving, but I’d love to go one day. It seems thrilling!
Do you prefer to go shopping in stores or online, and what makes it your preference?
I prefer to go shopping in stores because I like to see and feel the products before I buy them.
When was the last time you went camping, and where did you go?
The last time I went camping was last summer at Lake Tahoe.
Is there an activity you’ve never done but would like to go doing this year?
I’ve always wanted to go kayaking, and I plan to try it this spring.
Welcome to gerunds and infinitives
Practice this questions / Answer the question
What do you think about going for a walk as a way to take a break during work or study?
I think going for a walk is a great idea. It’s refreshing and it helps clear my mind.
Have you ever gone fishing? If so, do you find it relaxing or boring?
Yes, I’ve gone fishing before. I find it very relaxing, especially early in the morning.
Do you enjoy going to the beach in the summer? What activities do you like to do there?
Yes, I love going to the beach and usually go swimming and sunbathing.
Which do you prefer: going jogging in the morning or in the evening? Why?
I prefer going jogging in the morning because it energizes me for the rest of the day.
Have you ever gone on a spontaneous trip? Where did you go and what did you do?
Last year, I went on a spontaneous trip to the mountains. We went hiking and explored the local area. It was amazing.
