go together
B1Informal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To be harmonious, compatible, or suitable when combined or considered as a pair.
To be romantically involved or dating; to be frequently associated or found in combination.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrase is a multi-word verb (phrasal verb). Its meaning depends heavily on context: it can describe abstract compatibility (ideas, colours) or a concrete social relationship (people).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slight preference in UK English for 'go together' in romantic contexts, where US might also use 'see each other' or 'date'.
Connotations
In romantic contexts, can imply a steady, established relationship rather than casual dating.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject 1] and [Subject 2] go together.[Subject 1] goes together with [Subject 2].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go together like a horse and carriage”
- “go together like chalk and cheese (ironic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly used in marketing: 'Our brand values and this campaign go together perfectly.'
Academic
Used to discuss conceptual compatibility: 'These two theories do not go together.'
Everyday
Very common for food, colours, clothes, and relationships.
Technical
Not typical.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Do you think this tie and shirt go together?
- They've been going together for over a year now.
American English
- Peanut butter and jelly really go together.
- Are Mark and Sarah going together? I see them a lot.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Blue and white go together nicely.
- Do milk and fish go together?
- I'm not sure if these two ideas go together.
- They started going together last summer.
- His ambitious plans and limited budget simply don't go together.
- The spicy sauce goes together surprisingly well with the sweet fruit.
- The concept of individual liberty and strict communal responsibility often struggle to go together in political philosophy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of two puzzle pieces that GO TO the same place and fit TOGETHER.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARMONY IS PHYSICAL PROXIMITY / COMPATIBILITY IS A JOURNEY (going) SHARED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'идти вместе' for compatibility. Use 'сочетаться', 'подходить друг к другу'. For relationships, 'встречаться' is closer.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'go with together' (incorrect word order).
- Using it for temporary accompaniment: 'I will go together with you to the shop' is less idiomatic than 'I'll go with you'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'go together' used to describe a romantic relationship?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily used in informal and neutral contexts. In formal writing, prefer 'are compatible', 'complement each other', or 'are harmonious'.
It is less common but possible, e.g., 'All these colours go together.' Typically, it implies a pairwise relationship.
'Go with' is often used for one item complementing another ('This tie goes with that shirt'). 'Go together' treats the items as a pair with mutual compatibility ('This tie and that shirt go together').
Use 'don't/doesn't go together' or 'never go together'. E.g., 'Oil and water don't go together.'