they went for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they went for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used when describing someone's actions or motivations. Example sentence: They went for a walk in the park after dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They went for it.

The New York Times

They went for him.

The Guardian - Sport

They went for broke.

The New York Times - Arts

They went for a superstar.

The New York Times

They went for the galácticos.

The Guardian - Sport

They went for pirate supplies.

The Guardian - Books

But, no, they went for Alan Rusbridger.

The Guardian - Music

Back they went for a different perspective.

The New York Times

But they went for it anyway.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I fed them the story, and they went for it".

The New York Times - Magazine

They went for it to appease the Slavocracy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they went for" when you want to describe a decision or action where a choice was made from multiple options. This phrase can convey either a literal movement toward something or a figurative selection of something.

Common error

Avoid using "they went for" in passive voice constructions, which can create awkward phrasing. Instead of "the opportunity was went for by them", use the active voice: "they went for the opportunity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they went for" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of choosing, pursuing, or attempting something. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used across a range of contexts to describe decisions or actions taken by a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they went for" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes a group's action of choosing, pursuing, or attempting something. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently across various sources, especially in news and media. Grammatically correct and neutral in register, this phrase effectively communicates a decision or pursuit made by a collective. Whether describing a team's strategy or a group's preference, "they went for" succinctly conveys the action taken. Be mindful of avoiding passive voice constructions to ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they opted for

Replaces "went for" with "opted for", emphasizing a deliberate choice or selection.

they chose

A more concise alternative, focusing on the act of selecting something.

they pursued

Highlights the active chasing or striving after something.

they selected

Similar to "opted for" but can imply a more formal decision-making process.

they aimed for

Emphasizes the intention or goal behind their action.

they competed for

Indicates an action taken in a competitive environment.

they reached for

Suggests an attempt to grab or attain something, possibly with effort.

they sought

A more formal way of saying they looked for or tried to obtain.

they strived for

Highlights the effort and determination involved in pursuing something.

they moved toward

Indicates a direction or alignment with a particular objective.

FAQs

How can I use "they went for" in a sentence?

You can use "they went for" to indicate a choice or pursuit, such as "They went for the job" or "They went for a walk in the park".

What are some alternatives to "they went for"?

Alternatives include "they opted for", "they chose", or "they pursued" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they had went for" instead of "they went for"?

No, "they had went for" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past perfect form is "they had gone for". However, "they went for" is the simple past tense and is often the appropriate choice.

What's the difference between "they went for" and "they were going for"?

"They went for" indicates a completed action in the past, while "they were going for" suggests an action that was in progress or intended in the past. For example, "They went for the gold medal" means they competed and perhaps won, while "they were going for the gold medal" means they intended to compete for it.