going for

USAGE SUMMARY

"going for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is taking action to achieve something. For example: "John is going for the job opportunity at the local restaurant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're going for it".

The New York Times - Sports

They're going for it.

The New York Times

I'm going for Kvitova.

Independent

We're going for natural.

The New York Times

"I'm going for it.

The New York Times - Food

We're going for believable".

The New Yorker

He's going for 15.

The Guardian - Film

What's going for it?

The Guardian - Money

We're going for a ride".

The New York Times - Sports

"She kept going for it.

The New York Times - Sports

Going for the dramatic red?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In price-related contexts, the phrase effectively communicates the current market value or asking price of an item.

Common error

Avoid using "going for" when you simply mean you are traveling to a destination (e.g. "I am going to the park"). The phrase "going for" requires an object representing a goal, a price or a choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going for" functions as a multi-word verb that links a subject's intent or status to a specific target, value or choice. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used to denote active participation in a quest for a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "going for" is a robust and essential phrasal verb in the English language. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, it serves three main functions: pursuing a goal (like a championship), making a choice (such as a style or food) and stating a price. Its high frequency in elite publications like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its acceptability in professional journalism. While essentially neutral, writers can swap it for more specific terms like <a href="/s/pursuing" target="_blank" rel="alternative">pursuing or <a href="/s/aiming+for" target="_blank" rel="alternative">aiming for to add nuance or formality. It remains a powerful tool for injecting action and clarity into both creative and factual writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming for

Focuses on the objective or target point

pursuing

More formal and often used in professional or academic contexts

targeting

Suggests a more precise or strategic focus on a goal

striving for

Implies a much higher level of sustained effort and struggle

opting for

Highlights the decision-making process and final selection

selecting

A formal way to describe making a specific choice among many

seeking

Indicates a search or desire, often used for information or help

attempting

Focuses on the act of trying without guaranteeing success

chasing

Suggests an active and sometimes urgent follow-through

bidding for

Specific to competitive scenarios like auctions or contracts

FAQs

How do I use "going for" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an ambition, such as "She is <a href="/s/pursuing" target="_blank" rel="alternative">pursuing a promotion" or simply "She is "going for" a promotion".

What can I say instead of "going for"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like <a href="/s/aiming+for" target="_blank" rel="alternative">aiming for, <a href="/s/opting+for" target="_blank" rel="alternative">opting for or <a href="/s/striving+for" target="_blank" rel="alternative">striving for.

Is "going for" too informal for business writing?

It is generally neutral. However, in very formal reports, it might be better to use <a href="/s/seeking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">seeking or <a href="/s/endeavoring+to+achieve" target="_blank" rel="alternative">endeavoring to achieve.

Does "going for" always mean trying to win?

No. It can also refer to a price, as in "That vintage car is "going for" fifty thousand dollars", or a preference, like "I am "going for" the seafood pasta".