GO OVER

Human Communication

"To truly grow, one must go over past failures, for each reflection offers a lesson in resilience and wisdom for the future."

📖 Definition

To go over means to review something carefully, often to ensure understanding, correctness, or thoroughness. It involves examining details meticulously to grasp the full context or to make informed decisions. This phrasal verb is commonly used in both professional and casual settings.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To go over means to review something carefully, often to ensure understanding, correctness, or thoroughness. It involves examining details meticulously to grasp the full context or to make informed decisions. This phrasal verb is commonly used in both professional and casual settings.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
The object cannot be placed between the verb and preposition.
Register
Neutral
Appropriate for both informal and formal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
It requires an object, something that is being reviewed or examined.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple go over She will go over the contract details today.
Past Simple went over We went over the project plan before the meeting.
Present Continuous going over They are going over the case files now.
Present Perfect have gone over I have gone over the book twice to ensure accuracy.

💡 When to Use

academic review
When examining study materials or preparing for exams, going over notes helps reinforce knowledge.
Example: "I spent the evening going over my notes for the chemistry test."
business meetings
Reviewing agendas or proposals before a meeting ensures clarity and preparedness for discussions.
Example: "Let’s go over the agenda before the meeting starts to ensure everyone is prepared."
proofreading documents
Rereading written content helps identify and correct errors, enhancing document quality and professionalism.
Example: "I need to go over this report once more to catch any typos."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

using incorrect tense
❌ Wrong: He go over his notes last night.
✅ Correct: He went over his notes last night.
💡 Tip: Remember to use 'went' for past actions.
missing object
❌ Wrong: She will go over on the project.
✅ Correct: She will go over the project.
💡 Tip: Always include the object you are reviewing.
separating the verb incorrectly
❌ Wrong: Go the report over carefully.
✅ Correct: Go over the report carefully.
💡 Tip: Keep 'go' and 'over' together when using this verb.
Practice

GO OVER - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    Before submitting the paper, I made sure to go over every page for errors.

    The Global Village
  • 2
    Listen to example

    During the meeting, we will go over the sales figures for last quarter.

    The Global Village
  • 3
    Listen to example

    You should go over the travel itinerary to ensure everything is in order.

    The Global Village

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

review examine

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Please take a moment to ___ your work before submission."

went
go over
goes
going

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Go Over

What is the origin of go over?

+
The phrasal verb 'go over' originates from the combination of 'go,' meaning to proceed or move, and 'over,' suggesting thoroughness, emphasizing the action of reviewing or examining with care.

Can go over be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'go over' is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it useful in professional settings like business and casual conversations alike.

What is the difference between go over and review?

+
Both 'go over' and 'review' involve examining information. 'Go over' often implies a thorough check, while 'review' can be a general examination or analysis of material or actions.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

go throughreviewcheck overlook overrun through
Browse All The Global Village Phrasal Verbs
Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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