going on sail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going on sail" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "going on sale"? If this is the case, you can use it when referring to items that are being offered for purchase at a reduced price or are newly available for sale. Example: "The new collection is going on sale next week, so be sure to check it out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To better understand how it works, cruise ships are mostly planned before going on sail.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Victory ceremonies are squeezed in between long jumps; a fencer's dream is dashed while three other bouts are going on around her; the javelins sail toward the high jumpers.

The New York Times

Mr. Stowe went on sailing alone.

The New York Times

Quirk-at-work rating: 3/5 Airbnb's Moustache Mondays The lodging rental network's perks are fittingly travel-based: staff get a $2,000 travel bonus and go on sailing outings; its California HQ teems with travel-related touches: maps and airline logos adorn walls, and the decor of meeting rooms is based on actual apartments on its listings.

The Guardian

He speaks wistfully of the previously peaceful retirement: "playing golf, going on holiday and sailing my boat on the Thames in Marlow".

The Guardian - Business

The other ship of the expedition, under Luis de Torres, went on to sail through the Torres Strait but almost certainly failed to sight Australia; and all Quirós's fervour failed to persuade Spanish officialdom to mount another expedition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And, of course, it wasn't, and the market went on to sail to higher highs".

Forbes

My husband, Larry, and I once went on a sailing vacation in the Greek Islands with a couple from California who, unbeknown to us, did not.

The New York Times - Travel

Take a rock climbing or pottery class, go on a sailing trip, or try out Zumba together.

WikiHow

Why fret over some J.F.K. wannabe who thinks he's going to sail to the White House on a sea of ketchup?

The New York Times

"They were going on a journey on their boat, sailing around the world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the phrase "going sailing" or "going for a sail" instead of "going on sail" for grammatical correctness. "Going sailing" is more direct and commonly accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "on" directly before "sail" as a noun in this context. It's more appropriate to use "going sailing" or to rephrase the sentence, because "going on sail" can sound awkward and is often considered incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going on sail" functions as a verbal phrase intending to describe the act of participating in a sailing activity. However, Ludwig AI indicates this is grammatically incorrect. This phrase attempts to combine "going on" with the noun "sail" in a way that is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going on sail" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that while some instances can be found across different sources, including news and wikis, it is advisable to use more accepted alternatives such as "going sailing" or "going for a sail". These alternatives are grammatically sound and effectively convey the intended meaning of participating in a sailing activity. Opting for correct grammar enhances clarity and professionalism in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going sailing

This alternative omits "on" and changes "sail" to the gerund "sailing", correcting the grammar while keeping the core meaning.

going for a sail

This alternative replace 'on' and it's less formal and suggests a recreational activity.

heading out to sail

This implies a more casual and spontaneous approach to sailing.

embarking on a sailing trip

This phrase replaces "going on sail" with a more formal and specific term, "embarking", emphasizing the start of a journey.

taking a sailing voyage

This option is similar to a sailing trip, but it emphasizes the journey aspect.

setting sail

This is an idiomatic expression that captures the idea of beginning a sailing journey.

sailing away

This choice focuses on the departure and the destination is not specified.

starting a sailing adventure

This phrase puts stress on an exciting journey with sailing.

beginning a sailing excursion

This sounds more sophisticated, it indicates a trip with a purpose.

navigating the seas

This emphasizes the active control and skill involved in sailing, more than just 'going'.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "going on sail"?

No, the phrase "going on sail" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to say "going sailing" or "going for a sail".

What are some alternatives to "going on sail"?

Better alternatives include "going sailing", "going for a sail", or "embarking on a sailing trip" depending on the context.

How can I use the word "sail" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "sail" as a verb, as in "We will sail to France", or as a noun, as in "Let's go for a sail". Avoid combining "on" directly with "sail" as in "going on sail".

What is the difference between "going sailing" and "going on sail"?

"Going sailing" is the correct and commonly used phrase to describe the activity of sailing. "Going on sail" is considered grammatically incorrect.