I had the option to go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had the option to go" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a choice or decision you faced in the past regarding whether to leave or participate in something. Example: "When the invitation came, I had the option to go, but I ultimately decided to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But if I had the option to go back and do it all over again, I would not do that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We are going to make certain teachers have the options to have guns, and also that students who do not have the option to go to a good school have the option to — have options.

The Washington Post

AC: Great companies always have the option to go public.

TechCrunch

I felt I had no option but to go.

The New York Times

"Workers now have options to go somewhere else," she said.

Los Angeles Times

You also have the option of going to another toilet if the bathroom has individual stalls.

WikiHow

Of course, you have the option of going directly to the manufacturer is another great option.

Huffington Post

Maple also has the option of going hostile.

The Guardian - Business

Be realistic and make sure that you have the option of going back home.

WikiHow

Mr Ozawa had no option but to go.

The Economist

Torres, of course, claimed he was kicked and had no option but to go to ground.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I had the option to go", ensure the context clearly indicates what the alternative choice was. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I had the option to go" when you were actually required or obligated to go. "Option" implies a choice that was available, not a mandatory action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had the option to go" functions as a statement expressing a past possibility or choice. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. It indicates that the speaker possessed the liberty to leave or participate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I had the option to go" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to convey a past opportunity or choice. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing the phrase is well-regarded. While less frequent, it is primarily found in news and media contexts. It's crucial to use this phrase when you genuinely mean there was a choice, not an obligation. Alternatives such as ""I had the choice to leave"" or ""I could have gone"" can provide similar meanings depending on the context. Remember to clarify what the alternative choice was for improved clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had the choice to leave

Replaces "option" with "choice", emphasizing the decision-making aspect.

I had the opportunity to go

Substitutes "option" with "opportunity", highlighting the favorable circumstance for going.

I could have gone

Uses a modal verb to express possibility, simplifying the original phrase.

Going was an option for me

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the action of going as the available option.

I was able to go

Focuses on the ability to go, implying that no obstacles prevented it.

It was open to me to go

Emphasizes that the possibility of going was available or accessible.

I was at liberty to go

Highlights the freedom to go, implying no obligation to stay.

I had the prerogative to go

Suggests a right or privilege to go, carrying a slightly stronger connotation.

I possessed the ability to go

Emphasizes the capacity to go, although it sounds slightly more formal.

The possibility of going existed for me

Rephrases the original to focus on the existence of the possibility.

FAQs

What does "I had the option to go" mean?

It means that you had a choice or opportunity to leave or participate in something, but it was not mandatory. You could choose whether or not to go.

What can I say instead of "I had the option to go"?

You can use alternatives like "I had the choice to leave", "I had the opportunity to go", or "I could have gone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I had an option to go" instead of "I had the option to go"?

While understandable, "I had an option to go" is less common and slightly less grammatically formal than "I had the option to go". The definite article "the" specifies a particular, known option.

What's the difference between "I had the option to go" and "I had to go"?

"I had the option to go" implies a choice, whereas "I had to go" suggests an obligation or necessity. The first indicates a voluntary action, while the second indicates a required one.