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Phrasal verbs "go through" vs "plow through"

Differences between go through and plow through

Go through usually means to examine or search for something carefully, while plow through generally means to work hard and quickly to finish a task or a large amount of work.

Meanings and Definitions: go through vs plow through

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Go through

  • 1Experience.

    You wouldn't believe what I WENT THROUGH when I was ill!

  • 2Read again.

    I WENT THROUGH my notes before the exam.

  • 3Examine, search.

    I WENT THROUGH my desk looking for the letter.

  • 4Do something in a certain way or following certain procedures.

    You must GO THROUGH the proper channels to get the approval.

  • 5Explain.

    He WENT THROUGH his ideas twice but I couldn't really understand them.

  • 6Be approved formally or sanctioned.

    My divorce WENT THROUGH last week.

  • 7Enter.

    They said I could GO THROUGH the exam room.

  • 8Consume or spend.

    We WENT THROUGH a fortune on our holiday.

  • 9Perform or carry something out.

    I WENT THROUGH my work in a daze after I heard the news.

Plow through

  • 1Eat a big meal.

    We PLOWED THROUGH all eight courses.

  • 2Read something that is difficult or takes a lot of time.

    It takes me ages to PLOW THROUGH any of Henry James' novels.

  • 3Move through somewhere where there is little space or there are obstacles.

    The police car had to PLOW THROUGH the crowd.

Usage Examples: go through, plow through in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

go through

Example

I had to go through a lot of trouble to get this job.

Example

She goes through her emails every morning.

plow through

Example

She plowed through the difficult book in just a week.

Example

He plows through his homework every night.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Go through

look over

To examine or review something briefly or casually.

Example

I need to look over my notes before the exam tomorrow.

sort through

To organize or categorize items by examining them carefully.

Example

She spent the whole afternoon sorting through her closet and donating clothes she no longer wore.

sift through

To examine or search through something thoroughly and carefully.

Example

The detective had to sift through the evidence to find the clue that would solve the case.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Plow through

power through

To work hard and quickly to finish a task or a large amount of work.

Example

He had to power through the last few pages of his essay to meet the deadline.

tackle head-on

To approach a task or a problem directly and with determination.

Example

She decided to tackle the project head-on and finished it in record time.

grind away at

To work hard and persistently at a task or a goal.

Example

He had to grind away at his studies for months to pass the difficult exam.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “plow”

Differences in go through vs plow through: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: go through or plow through?

In daily conversation, people use go through more often than plow through. This is because go through is used for more routine activities such as going through emails or documents. Plow through is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about finishing a task or a large amount of work quickly. So, while both phrases are used, go through is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of go through and plow through

Go through and plow through are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of go through and plow through

The tone of go through and plow through can differ based on context. Go through often carries a careful or methodical tone when related to examining or searching for something, while plow through typically has a determined and focused tone, especially when referring to finishing a task or a large amount of work quickly.

go through & plow through: Synonyms and Antonyms

Plow through

Synonyms

  • work through
  • read quickly
  • eat quickly
  • move through
  • push through
  • power through
  • forge ahead

Antonyms

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