go out

USAGE SUMMARY

"go out" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to mean either go somewhere or leave in a physical or figurative sense. For example: I'm going to go out and buy some groceries. The stocks have started to go out of favor with investors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If they go out, they go out.

The New York Times - Sports

Or go out with".

Independent

Don't go out there.

The New Yorker

The lights go out.

The New Yorker

Go out on top.

The New York Times

Go out with it.

The New York Times

"Let's go out".

The New York Times

We'd go out dancing.

The New York Times - Books

"I go out more.

The New York Times - Health

They don't go out drinking".

The New Yorker

I personally will go out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "go out" to describe a social activity, specify the type of outing for clarity (e.g., "go out for dinner", "go out dancing").

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "go out". For example, it's "go out with someone" not "go out at someone".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "go out" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating movement from a place or participation in social activities. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "go out" is a versatile and very common expression with multiple meanings, ranging from leaving a place to engaging in social activities or dating. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as in Wiki content, suggesting a generally neutral to informal register. When writing, be mindful of the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear, specifying the activity when describing a social outing (e.g., "go out for dinner"). Avoid using incorrect prepositions, such as "go out at" instead of "go out with" when referring to dating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave the house

Focuses specifically on leaving one's residence.

head out

Implies starting a journey or leaving for a specific destination.

step out

Suggests a brief or quick departure.

go for a night out

Specifically refers to an evening of entertainment outside the home.

socialize

Emphasizes the social aspect of going out.

date

Specifically refers to going out with someone romantically.

exit

Implies a formal or abrupt departure.

become extinguished

Refers to something like a light or fire ceasing to burn.

become unfashionable

Indicates something is no longer trendy or in style.

be eliminated

Focuses on being removed from a competition.

FAQs

How can I use "go out" in a sentence?

You can use "go out" to mean leaving a place, like in "I'm going to "go out" for a walk", or to describe dating, as in "Are you going to "go out" with her?". It can also mean that a light stops working, for example "The lights "go out"".

What are some alternatives to "go out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "leave the house", "socialize", or "become extinguished".

Is it correct to say "go out at" instead of "go out with"?

No, the correct preposition to use when referring to dating someone is "with". So, you should say "go out with" and not "go out at".

What's the difference between "go out" and "step out"?

Step out usually implies a brief or quick departure, while "go out" can refer to a longer period or a more significant event.