go about
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle about
Meanings
Approach or carry out a task in a particular way
Why “about”? You turn toward a task and start it.
“How should I go about asking him?”
“Maya asked Leo how to go about booking a taxi to the club.”
“I knew the bike needed fixing, but I did not know how to go about it.”
Do your normal activities
Why “about”? A person moves through the usual parts of work or daily life.
“After breakfast, everyone went about their work.”
“When the alarm ended, people went about their day.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“How should I go about asking him?” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
go ahead
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin or continue with a planned action
go along
A contrast learners often mix up
Agree with or support someone's plan; Go to an event or place, often without a firm plan; Continue an activity and deal with each part as it happens
bring about
Same about pattern: starting
Cause something to happen
come about
Same about pattern: starting
Happen, especially in an unplanned way; Of a ship, change tack to the opposite side
set about
Same about pattern: starting
Begin a task with deliberate effort
go across
Same base verb: go
Move from one side of a place to the other
go after
Same base verb: go
Pursue someone or something with effort
go against
Same base verb: go
Not follow or match a rule, belief, advice, or wish
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “go about”.
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