go at once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go at once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate urgency or the need for immediate action. Example: "You need to go at once if you want to catch the train."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Cain't all o' ya go at once.

Yale University

"Don't all go at once," prompted the reporter.

The Guardian - Business

The question still is why did they all go at once?

The New York Times - Science

His father managed to arrange for Francis to go at once to London.

The Guardian

Mr Mobutu must go at once, he insisted.The talks adjourned, supposedly for not more than ten days.

The Economist

His resignation came after a group of British and American shareholders made it clear that they would force him out if he did not go at once.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

She went at once to the forum.

The New Yorker

He should have gone at once.

The Guardian - Opinion

I like to have multiple things going at once.

Stanford University

The man has three computers going at once.

The New Yorker

Saramago went at once and brought it home.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go at once" to convey a sense of urgency or the immediate need to take action. It's suitable for situations where any delay is unacceptable.

Common error

While "go at once" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal writing can sound slightly informal. Consider more formal alternatives like "depart immediately" or "proceed without delay" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go at once" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and indicating the timing of an action. It emphasizes the need for immediate action, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go at once" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that conveys a sense of urgency. According to Ludwig, it serves as an adverbial phrase to emphasize the timing of an action. While appropriate for most contexts, including news and media, as well as academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives in very formal settings. The phrase is a useful way to indicate that something needs to happen without delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave immediately

Emphasizes the action of departing without delay.

depart right away

Highlights the promptness of the departure.

set off without delay

Focuses on commencing a journey quickly.

start immediately

Highlights the beginning of an action without any delay.

head out straight away

Indicates a quick and direct departure.

be off instantly

Emphasizes the speed of departure.

make a prompt departure

Stresses the timeliness of leaving.

move without hesitation

Focuses on acting quickly and decisively.

take off at once

Highlights an immediate departure, often in a more informal context.

dash off now

Implies a quick and hurried departure.

FAQs

What does "go at once" mean?

"Go at once" means to leave or depart immediately, without any delay.

How can I use "go at once" in a sentence?

You can use "go at once" in a sentence to indicate that someone needs to leave or start something immediately. For example: "You must "leave immediately"" if you want to catch the train.

What can I say instead of "go at once"?

You can use alternatives like "leave immediately", "depart right away", or "set off without delay".

Is "go at once" formal or informal?

"Go at once" is generally acceptable, but it can sound slightly informal in very formal contexts. In those situations, alternatives like "proceed immediately" might be more appropriate.