What does the phrasal verb “go through” mean?

What are the definitions of “go through”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Experience.

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

• 2. Read again.

  I WENT THROUGH my notes before the exam.

• 3. Examine, search.

  I WENT THROUGH my desk looking for the letter.

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

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

• 5. Explain.

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

• 6. Be approved formally or sanctioned.

  My divorce WENT THROUGH last week.

• 7. Enter.

  They said I could GO THROUGH the exam room.

• 8. Consume or spend.

  We WENT THROUGH a fortune on our holiday.

• 9. Perform or carry something out.

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

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “go through”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb go through is to experience something, especially something difficult or unpleasant. For example, it can mean experiencing a tough time, dealing with a difficult situation, or enduring a hardship.

What are the different verb forms of “go through”?

Root Verb	go through
Third Person Singular Present	goes through
Present Participle	going through
Simple Past	went through
Past Participle	gone through

Example

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

Example

She goes through her emails every morning.

Example

He is going through a difficult time right now.

Example

Yesterday, they went through all the old files.

Example

The proposal has gone through several revisions.

What kind of phrasal verb is “go through”?

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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.)

Transitive verb

“go through” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

She went through a difficult time.

Example

He went through all the documents.

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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 through” 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

She went through a difficult time.

Example

He went through all the documents.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “go through”?

Go through with something

To continue to do something, especially something difficult or something that has been planned for a long time.

Example

Despite the challenges, he decided to go through with the project.

Go through the motions

To do something without thinking about it or feeling interested in it.

Example

She was so tired that she was just going through the motions at work.

Go through a phase

To experience a period of time when one behaves in a certain way or likes a certain thing.

Example

He's going through a phase of only eating vegetables.

Good things to know

Does “go through” have an informal or formal tone?

Go through is a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In a formal setting, it might be used to describe a process or procedure, such as 'The proposal must go through several stages of approval.' In an informal context, it might be used to describe personal experiences or feelings, such as 'I went through a lot when I lost my job.'

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “go through”?

Synonyms

• experience
• endure
• suffer
• undergo
• bear
• tolerate
• survive
• sustain
• withstand
• face

Antonyms

• avoid
• evade
• escape
• dodge
• shirk
• sidestep
• elude
• bypass
• circumvent
• skirt