going along with

USAGE SUMMARY

"going along with" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate agreement or compliance with someone else's ideas or actions. Example: "She decided to go along with the group's plan for the weekend." Alternative expressions include "agreeing with" and "going along."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Going along with the program.

The New York Times - Science

I recommend going along with the literature.

The New York Times

I'm not going along with that.

The New York Times

OBAMA: I'm not going along with that.

The Washington Post

Won't be going along with you, however.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was just going along with it".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They're totally going along with intentional murder.

The New York Times

I feel angry and compromised for going along with this".

The New Yorker

And Congress appears to be going along with it.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, Mr. Miller is going along with Mr. Feinberg's guidelines.

The New York Times

He is easily bulldozed into going along with Dottie's plan.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going along with" when you want to emphasize a sense of agreement or participation, especially when there might be some reservation or hesitation involved. For example, "I wasn't sure about the plan, but I decided to go along with it."

Common error

Avoid using "going along with" simply as a synonym for "and" or "in addition to". The phrase carries a nuance of agreement or compliance that should be relevant to the context. For instance, instead of saying "He brought his friend along with him", which is a simple addition, use "and" or "with".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "going along with" is that of a phrasal verb acting as a verb phrase. It typically functions as the main verb in a clause, expressing the action of agreeing or complying with something. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going along with" is a versatile phrasal verb indicating agreement, compliance, or participation, often with a nuance of passive acceptance or reluctant consent. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When writing, use "going along with" to accurately convey agreement, but avoid using it as a simple substitute for "and" or "in addition to". Consider alternatives like "agreeing with" or "supporting" to better express the specific kind of agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agreeing with

Focuses on the act of sharing the same opinion or sentiment.

complying with

Emphasizes adherence to rules, regulations, or requests.

falling in line with

Implies adjusting one's behavior or opinion to match others.

concurring with

Highlights formal agreement, often in professional settings.

cooperating with

Emphasizes working together towards a common goal.

supporting

Implies active endorsement and advocacy.

collaborating on

Focuses on joint effort and teamwork.

endorsing

Suggests explicit approval and backing of something.

acquiescing to

Indicates reluctant acceptance or passive agreement.

consenting to

Signifies giving permission or approval for something to happen.

FAQs

What does "going along with" mean?

The phrase "going along with" means agreeing with something, supporting a plan or idea, or participating in an activity, often suggesting a degree of compliance or acquiescence. It implies that someone is conforming to a suggestion or course of action.

How can I use "going along with" in a sentence?

You can use "going along with" to describe someone who is agreeing or complying with a plan, idea, or activity. For example: "Despite her reservations, she decided to "go along with" the proposal" or "He is simply "going along with" what everyone else wants".

What are some alternatives to "going along with"?

Alternatives to "going along with" include "agreeing with", "supporting", "complying with", "concurring with", or "acquiescing to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "going along with" and "agreeing with"?

While both phrases indicate a form of acceptance, "going along with" often implies a degree of passive compliance or reluctant agreement, whereas "agreeing with" suggests a more active and enthusiastic endorsement. You might "go along with" something to avoid conflict, but you "agree with" something because you genuinely believe in it.