go along
B1Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
To proceed or move forward, often in a literal or figurative sense; also, to accompany or agree.
To continue with an activity; to develop over time; to agree to something temporarily or provisionally.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as a phrasal verb. Can have literal (movement) or figurative (agreement, development) meanings. The meaning is highly dependent on context and collocation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slight preference for "go along with" over simple "go along" in US English when meaning 'to agree'.
Connotations
Neutral. 'Going along with something' can sometimes imply passive or reluctant agreement in both dialects.
Frequency
Very common in both dialects. The idiomatic usage ('to agree') is slightly more frequent in spoken language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Intransitive (SUBJ ~)Intransitive + with (SUBJ ~ with OBJ)Intransitive + to-infinitive (SUBJ ~ to see/visit etc.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go along for the ride”
- “go along to get along”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We'll go along with the committee's recommendation for now."
Academic
"The theory developed as the research went along."
Everyday
"Do you mind if I go along with you to the shops?"
Technical
Rare in technical contexts, except in project management: "We'll adjust the plan as we go along."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We can go along the high street to the pub.
- I'll go along with your plan, for lack of a better one.
- The festival is free, so we just went along to see what it was like.
American English
- Let's go along this road until we hit the highway.
- He decided to go along with the majority vote.
- The project improved as we went along.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Can I go along with you?
- The bus goes along this road.
- We went along to the meeting.
- I don't really agree, but I'll go along with it.
- As the discussion went along, new ideas emerged.
- She only went along for the ride, not expecting to enjoy it.
- The legislation is likely to go along party lines.
- He has a tendency to go along with the prevailing opinion rather than state his own.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of literally walking ALONG a path WITH someone. If you GO ALONG the path, you're moving forward. If you GO ALONG WITH your friend, you're accompanying/agreeing.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGREEMENT IS ACCOMPANIMENT (to go along with an idea), PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION (to go along well).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводится буквально как "идти вдоль".
- "Go along with" означает "согласиться (часто без энтузиазма)", а не просто "идти с".
- Не путать с "get along" (ладить).
Common Mistakes
- *I go along the park. (Correct: I go along the path *by* the park.)
- *She didn't go along the idea. (Correct: She didn't go along *with* the idea.)
- Using it transitively without a preposition.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'We'll figure out the details as we go along,' what does 'go along' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Go along' primarily means to proceed or to agree/accompany. 'Get along' means to have a friendly relationship or to manage/cope.
No, 'go along' is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'go it along' or 'go with it along'. It is always 'go along' or 'go along with [something]'.
Yes, especially 'go along with' meaning to provisionally agree or comply with a plan, decision, or suggestion.
No. While the literal meaning involves physical movement, the more common figurative meanings involve agreement ('go along with') or the passage/progress of time or an activity ('as we go along').