go into
B2Neutral (used across formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To enter, move into, or begin to participate in a physical space, state, activity, profession, or topic of discussion.
To examine or discuss something in detail; to start working in a particular profession; to be used as part of something; (of a vehicle) to hit something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A phrasal verb with multiple senses. The meaning is heavily dependent on the object. It often implies initiation, entry, or detailed investigation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use all senses. 'Go into hospital' (UK) vs. 'Go to the hospital' (US) is a notable collocational difference for the physical entry sense.
Connotations
Identical across varieties.
Frequency
All senses are common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ + go into + NOUN/NOUN PHRASE (place, state, profession, detail)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go into overdrive”
- “go into one's shell”
- “go into a huddle”
- “go into a spin”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new regulations will go into effect next quarter. He decided to go into business for himself.
Academic
The paper does not have space to go into the historical precedents in depth.
Everyday
I don't want to go into it now; it's a long story. She went into the kitchen to make tea.
Technical
The probe is scheduled to go into orbit at 1400 hours. The system will go into standby mode after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She decided to go into law after university.
- The car went into the barrier on the motorway.
- I won't go into why he left; it's personal.
American English
- He's planning to go into medicine like his father.
- The bill goes into effect in January.
- Let's not go into that right now.
adverb
British English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
American English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
adjective
British English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
American English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please go into the living room.
- The cat went into the box.
- He wants to go into teaching.
- The new law goes into effect tomorrow.
- She went into the shop to buy milk.
- We don't have time to go into all the complications now.
- After the accident, he went into shock.
- A great deal of planning went into the event.
- The biography goes into his early influences in exhaustive detail.
- The company went into voluntary administration after the market collapsed.
- The aircraft went into a steep dive before the pilots regained control.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a detective GOing INTO a room to investigate. The verb captures both physical entry (into a room) and metaphorical entry (into details or a career).
Conceptual Metaphor
DISCUSSION IS A CONTAINER ('go into a topic'), A PROFESSION IS A LOCATION ('go into medicine'), A STATE IS A PLACE ('go into shock').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'идти в' for abstract senses. E.g., 'go into details' is 'вдаваться в подробности', not 'идти в подробности'.
- The sense 'to be used for' has no direct Russian equivalent. E.g., 'A lot of work went into this report' translates as 'В этот отчет было вложено много труда.'
Common Mistakes
- *I will go into study medicine. (Correct: I will go into medicine.)
- *He went in the details. (Correct: He went into the details.)
- Confusing 'go into' with 'go in', which is less specific about the destination.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'go into' mean 'to start working in a profession'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'go into' is an inseparable phrasal verb. The object always comes after 'into'. (Correct: 'go into details'; Incorrect: 'go details into').
'Go into' suggests a deeper, more thorough, or more committed examination or entry. 'Look into' is often preliminary or less detailed. Compare: 'The police will look into the matter' (initial inquiry) vs. 'The inquiry will go into the matter deeply' (thorough investigation).
Yes, especially for careers. E.g., 'I'm going into engineering' is a common way to state a future professional intention.
It means to enter a specific state or mode. E.g., 'The computer goes into sleep mode.' 'The reactor will go into lockdown if it overheats.'