was going for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was going for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intention or aim that someone had in a particular situation or context. Example: "I was going for a more casual look, but I ended up dressing up for the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Crowley was going for it.

The New York Times - Sports

I was going for it".

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe the show was going for incongruous.

The New York Times

"I thought someone was going for office".

The New York Times

"Mehra was going for high-risk expansion".

The New York Times

"I was going for inventive".

The New Yorker

was going for 34 cents.

The New York Times

Canada was going for perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

No system was going for Hull then.

The Guardian - Sport

She was going for the kill.

The New York Times

"She was going for 20 more minutes".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was going for" to clearly indicate a past intention or objective, especially when describing strategies or aims within a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "was going for" when describing actions that were unintentional or accidental. This phrase implies a deliberate aim or purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was going for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past intention, attempt, or objective. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in describing aims or strategies, often within narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was going for" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a past intention, goal, or attempt. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, it's best to use "was going for" to clearly describe deliberate aims, while avoiding it for unintentional actions. Consider alternatives such as "was aiming for" for a more formal tone. Remember the phrase functions to clarify motivations and provide context, making it a useful tool for narrative and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was aiming for

Replaces "going" with "aiming", emphasizing the direction of effort.

was looking to

Expresses an intention or plan to do something.

was working towards

Focuses on the process of striving towards a specific end.

was intending to achieve

More formal; highlights the plan to accomplish something.

was pursuing

Highlights the active chase or quest for a particular goal.

was trying to get

Informal; focuses on the attempt to obtain something.

was after

Informal; emphasizes the desire for something.

was seeking to obtain

Formal; emphasizes the act of searching for something to acquire.

had the objective of

Highlights the presence of a defined target or goal.

was endeavoring to secure

Formal and emphasizes the effort to gain or protect something.

FAQs

How can I use "was going for" in a sentence?

Use "was going for" to describe a past intention or goal. For example, "She "was going for" a promotion, but she didn't get it."

What is a more formal way to say "was going for"?

A more formal alternative to "was going for" is "was aiming for" or "was intending to achieve". For instance, "The company was aiming for a higher profit margin this quarter".

Is "was going for" interchangeable with "tried to get"?

While similar, ""was going for"" emphasizes intent, whereas "tried to get" focuses on the attempt. You tried to get a ticket, because you "was going for" a refund.

What's the difference between "was going for" and "was striving for"?

"Was going for" indicates a specific objective or plan in mind, whereas "was striving for" suggests a more general and sustained effort towards an ideal or long-term goal.