go at writing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go at writing" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to suggest starting or attempting to write something, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I decided to go at writing my novel this weekend."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Another go at writing.

The Guardian

Iran has had a pretty effective go at writing the rules of how to do the empire thing for two and a half millennia with some notable successes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Halfway to the airport, traffic came to a halt, as though a power blender had just been switched off, so I made another go at writing a letter to Mercy.

Vice

Have a go at writing your own, or share your favourite limerick below.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it's good for you to have a go at writing something completely different.

The Guardian - Books

But then I got so bored I thought I might as well have a go at writing a novel.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Your old philosopher is gone at last," wrote one of his friends, "to try experiments with his ancestors".

The Guardian - Books

When Zadie Smith, describing two wrestlers going at it, writes, "All of a sudden they run at each other once more and if you have a better phrase than like thundering elephants insert it here," she's tipping her hat to Laurence Sterne's "Tristram Shandy," a book written in 1759, before the novel was properly born.

The New York Times - Magazine

You go at it perhaps by writing shorter.

The New York Times

Let me go at my own pace," she writes.

The Guardian - Books

But the general wish to keep writing, to go at it, to find the new poem, the new subject immediately is quite an interesting experiment.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, replace the phrase with alternatives such as "begin writing" or "attempt writing", maintaining a formal, direct tone.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on the phrase "go at writing" in formal or professional contexts. Its informal tone may undermine the seriousness or expertise you wish to convey. Instead, opt for alternatives like "begin writing" or "start writing" which have a neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go at writing" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the commencement or attempt of a writing activity. It is an idiomatic expression, as explained by Ludwig AI, suggesting an initial effort to engage in the process of writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go at writing" is an acceptable, though not always preferred, way to express the act of starting or attempting to write. While it appears in various sources, it's more informal and can often be replaced by clearer, more direct alternatives like "start writing" or "try writing". As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase isn't standard in written English and may cause confusion, suggesting that more conventional options are often better suited for clarity and professionalism. Consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to write

Directly indicates making an effort to write something.

start writing

Focuses on the initiation of the writing process.

begin to write

Similar to 'start writing' but can imply a more gradual commencement.

try writing

Suggests experimenting with writing, a less committed approach.

take up writing

Implies starting writing as a hobby or regular activity.

undertake to write

More formal, suggesting a serious commitment to writing.

embark on writing

Suggests a journey or significant undertaking in writing.

venture into writing

Implies a cautious or exploratory entry into the field of writing.

have a shot at writing

Informal, suggesting an attempt with uncertain prospects.

give writing a whirl

Very informal, implying a casual attempt at writing.

FAQs

What does "go at writing" mean?

The phrase "go at writing" means to start or attempt to write something. It suggests making an effort to engage in the act of writing.

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

You can use alternatives like "start writing", "try writing", or "attempt to write" depending on the context.

Is "go at writing" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "go at writing" is not the most standard or formal phrasing. It's more common in informal contexts. More formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional settings.

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

You can use "go at writing" in a sentence like, "I decided to go at writing a short story this weekend", but be mindful that more formal alternatives might improve clarity and impact in certain contexts.