to go over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to go over" is correct and can be used in written English.
It usually means to examine, discuss, or analyze something in detail. For example, "Let's go over our presentation one more time to make sure we have all the details correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's not likely to go over well.

The New York Times

Do we have any old matters to go over?

Columbia University

I was reluctant to go over, but eventually I did.

The New York Times

"Ma, you want to go over, say hi?" Pammy said.

The New Yorker

"That's not going to go over well," Mr. Richter said.

The New York Times - Health

Plan to go over budget.

WikiHow

This is easy to go over and fix later.

WikiHow

To go over the limit.

Independent

It's going to go over the problem.

Harvard Business Review

Feel too embarrassed to go over.

The Telegraph

He has to go over it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to go over" in a formal context, ensure it aligns with the level of detail required. "To review" or "to analyze" might be more appropriate for in-depth examinations.

Common error

Avoid using "to go over" excessively in academic or professional documents. Opt for more precise alternatives like "to examine", "to assess", or "to scrutinize" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to go over" is as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase. It typically functions as a verb complement, indicating an action to be performed. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is used in various contexts to express the action of reviewing, examining, or traversing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

34%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to go over" is a versatile and common expression used to convey the act of reviewing, examining, or traversing. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. While its register is generally neutral, the specific context may necessitate the use of more formal synonyms in certain settings. With examples from various sources, including news, academia, and general writing, "to go over" remains a valuable phrase in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to review

Focuses specifically on the act of reviewing something, implying a more formal or structured approach.

to examine

Highlights a detailed inspection or investigation, often used in a more formal or technical context.

to discuss

Emphasizes the verbal exchange and collaborative analysis of a topic.

to analyze

Stresses the process of breaking down a subject into smaller parts for closer inspection.

to check

Suggests a quick verification or confirmation, less in-depth than a full review.

to revisit

Implies returning to something previously examined or discussed.

to traverse

Focuses on physically moving across or through an area.

to cross

Indicates moving from one side to another, often implying overcoming an obstacle.

to inspect

Emphasizes a careful and critical examination.

to touch upon

Suggests a brief mention or light discussion of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "to go over" in a sentence?

You can use "to go over" to mean reviewing something, like, "Let's "go over" the details of the contract before signing". It can also refer to physically moving across something, such as, "They had "to go over" the bridge to reach the other side".

What are some alternatives to "to go over"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to review", "to examine", "to discuss", or "to analyze". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "go over it again"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "go over it again" simply means to review or examine something a second time. For example, "The teacher asked the students "to go over" the lesson again before the test".

When should I use "to go over" versus "to get over"?

"To go over" typically means to review or examine something, while "to get over" means to recover from something or overcome a difficulty. For example, "Let's "go over" the budget report" versus "It took her a long time "to get over" the illness".