went

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "went" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as the past tense of "go", as in "Yesterday, I went to the store".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The video went viral.

The New York Times

Everything went right for Germany and wrong for us.

The Guardian - Sport

Amy dropped what she was doing, went black in the eyes for a second and wheeled around on him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It went viral.

The New York Times

It went well".

The New York Times

"It went down very badly.

The Guardian - Film

In a reference to Cameron's inner circle, she added: "I don't hold the fact that someone went to public school against them.

The Guardian

But that was as far as it went.

The New York Times - Sports

Her parents went to the police.

The Guardian

And so it went on.

The Economist

Scandals that aren't out of tune with a celebrity's image are often surprisingly easy to bounce back from: after images of Kate Moss snorting coke surfaced, her bookings fell, but, over time, they went up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider alternatives like "departed", "proceeded", or "transitioned" to add specificity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "went" interchangeably with "gone". "Went" is the simple past tense, while "gone" is the past participle and requires an auxiliary verb (e.g., "had gone").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "went" is to serve as the past tense form of the verb "go". As Ludwig AI confirms, this form indicates an action that occurred and concluded in the past. The examples provided showcase its direct application in describing past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went" is the past tense of the verb "go", used to describe completed actions in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register. To enhance clarity, consider using alternatives like "departed" or "proceeded" to add specificity. Remember to avoid confusing "went" with "gone", and ensure correct tense usage for effective communication. From the analysis, "went" is a very common and versatile term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moved

A general term for changing location or state.

departed

Indicates a formal or permanent leaving.

shifted

Implies a change in position, direction, or focus.

proceeded

Suggests a continuation or advancement in a specific direction or process.

transitioned

Highlights a change from one state or condition to another.

traveled

Emphasizes the act of journeying or covering distance.

advanced

Implies progress or forward movement, often in a strategic sense.

escaped

Suggests leaving a dangerous or confined situation.

retreated

Indicates moving back or away from a position, often due to pressure.

developed

Focuses on growth or evolution over time.

FAQs

How do I use "went" in a sentence?

"Went" is the past tense of "go". For example, "Yesterday, I "went" to the park".

What can I say instead of "went"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "departed", "proceeded", or "moved".

Which is correct, "went" or "gone"?

"Went" is the simple past tense, while "gone" is the past participle. Use "went" for simple past actions and "gone" with auxiliary verbs like "have", "had", or "is".

What's the difference between "went" and "had gone"?

"Went" indicates a simple past action, while "had gone" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "I "went" to the store" vs. "I had "gone" to the store before you called".