go about with

USAGE SUMMARY

"go about with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to spend time with or accompany someone in their activities. Example: She always goes about with her best friend, they do everything together.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

We go about with all these rights of the individual.

The New York Times

We do it almost compulsively and generally go about with the assumption that expressing emotion is a good idea.

The New York Times - Books

She notes that girls today are free to go about with boys as much as they please, "even to go after them to a reasonable degree".

The New Yorker

Many of the men in these stories go about with vague ideas of their own natures and a sense of being out of touch with the world.

The New York Times - Books

There was a man called Archibiades, nicknamed the Lacedaemonian, who used to go about with a huge, over-grown beard, wearing an old threadbare cloak, and affecting a very stern countenance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

More than that, it revealed a side to my mind that I'd forgotten about - the pleasures of daydreaming - and for the next couple of days I go about with an irrepressible smile on my face.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

There was no public outcry over the arrests, and people went about with their lives.

The New York Times

I went about with long hair and a Little Lord Fauntleroy costume.

The Guardian - Books

She also went about with the head master who was a married man.

The New Yorker

She uses her mouth as the camera, and goes about with a black bag over her head.

The Guardian - Arts

"You're going about with your life, and then suddenly things you'd never even thought about as being secure, you can no longer rely upon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go about with" when you want to describe someone's habitual association or companionship with others. For example, "She tends to go about with people who share her interests."

Common error

Avoid using "go about with" when you mean to describe the method of doing something. The correct phrasing for that is "go about doing something", as in "How should I go about fixing this problem?" This avoids miscommunication and maintains clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "go about with" functions primarily as a verb of association, indicating the act of spending time with, accompanying, or regularly associating with someone. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

21%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go about with" is a grammatically sound and common phrasal verb used to describe social associations and habits. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news, media, and informal settings. While versatile, it is important to distinguish its meaning from "go about doing something", which describes a method or approach. Keep in mind that more formal alternatives like "associate with" may be more suitable in specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go around with

Similar in meaning but might also imply aimless wandering together.

associate with

Focuses on the act of regularly meeting or spending time with someone.

hang out with

Implies a casual and relaxed way of spending time together.

spend time with

Emphasizes the duration of being in someone's company.

accompany

Highlights the act of going somewhere with someone.

consort with

Suggests a more formal or perhaps disapproved association.

fraternize with

Implies friendly and informal interaction, often in a professional or formal setting.

be in the company of

A more formal way of saying spending time with someone.

keep company with

Implies a regular and sustained association with someone.

be seen with

Focuses on the public aspect of being together.

FAQs

What does "go about with" mean?

The phrase "go about with" means to spend time with someone, accompany them, or regularly associate with them. It implies a social connection or habitual companionship.

What's a good alternative to "go about with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "associate with", "hang out with", or "spend time with" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "go about with" formal or informal?

"Go about with" is generally considered informal to neutral. In more formal contexts, phrases like "associate with" or "keep company with" might be more appropriate.

How do I use "go about with" in a sentence?

You can use "go about with" to describe someone's social habits. For example, "He likes to go about with his friends after work" or "She tends to go about with people who share her hobbies."