he went down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he went down" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's movement from a higher position to a lower position. Example: He went down the stairs to retrieve his forgotten jacket.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He went down.

The New Yorker

He went down too easily.

Independent

He went down face-first.

The New York Times

He went down in an….

The New Yorker

He went down today".

The New York Times - Sports

He went down dead".

The New York Times - Books

He went down hard on both knees.

The New York Times - Sports

Ultimately, he went down with the ship.

The New York Times - Health

"He got hit and he went down.

The New York Times - Sports

He went down, injuring his shoulder.

The New York Times

He went down to the kitchen again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical fall, use "he went down" to maintain a neutral and straightforward tone.

Common error

Avoid using "he went down" in formal writing when a more precise term like "he descended" or "he fell" would better convey the specific action or situation. For example, using it when describing someone leaving a position of power.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he went down" is as a verb phrase, acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes an action or state of being, often related to movement or a change in condition. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from physical falls to metaphorical defeats.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he went down" is a versatile expression with several possible meanings, ranging from physical descent to defeat or failure. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts, although more precise language may be preferred in formal writing. The examples illustrate that "he went down" often appears in news and media, particularly when describing events related to sports or accidents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he descended

Focuses on the act of moving downwards, often in a controlled manner.

he fell

Highlights an uncontrolled drop or tumble.

he lost his footing

Describes a loss of balance, leading to a potential fall.

he collapsed

Emphasizes a sudden loss of balance or strength, leading to a fall.

he took a tumble

Indicates a less severe fall or stumble.

he succumbed

Suggests giving in to pressure or defeat, metaphorically 'going down'.

he was knocked down

Suggests an external force caused the fall.

he was defeated

Implies a loss in a competition or struggle, leading to a lower position.

he capitulated

Indicates surrendering or yielding, often after resistance.

he yielded

Similar to capitulated, but can also imply a more willing submission.

FAQs

How can I use "he went down" in a sentence?

You can use "he went down" to describe a physical fall (e.g., "He went down after being tackled"), a descent (e.g., "He went down the stairs"), or a defeat (e.g., "He went down in the final round").

What are some alternatives to "he went down"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "he descended", "he fell", or "he collapsed".

Is "he went down" formal or informal?

"He went down" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferred in highly formal writing.

What does "he went down" mean in a sports context?

In sports, "he went down" typically means that a player was tackled, injured, or otherwise fell to the ground. It can also mean that a team or player was defeated.