What are the definitions of “go below”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Leave the top deck of a ship.
The captain told the passengers to GO BELOW when the storm started.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “go below”?
The phrasal verb go below is most commonly used in the context of ships. It means to leave the top deck of a ship and go to a lower level. For example, during a storm, the captain might tell the passengers to go below for safety.
What are the different verb forms of “go below”?
| Root Verb | go below |
| Third Person Singular Present | goes below |
| Present Participle | going below |
| Simple Past | went below |
| Past Participle | gone below |
Example
When it started to rain, the sailors decided to go below.
Example
During the storm, he goes below to stay safe.
Example
She is going below to avoid the strong winds on the deck.
Example
As soon as the storm started, they went below.
Example
The passengers had gone below when the storm hit.
What kind of phrasal verb is “go below”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“go below” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
When the waves got rough, the crew went below.
Example
As the storm approached, we went below.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“go below” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
When the waves got rough, the crew went below.
Example
As the storm approached, we went below.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “go below”?
Good things to know
Does “go below” have an informal or formal tone?
Go below is a neutral phrasal verb. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but is most commonly used in nautical terms. For example, a ship's captain might use it to instruct passengers or crew to move to a lower deck. It can also be used in other contexts, such as mining or diving, to describe moving beneath the surface of something.
