went down

USAGE SUMMARY

"went down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decline in some quantity or quality. For example: "The stock market went down this morning after a worrying report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It went down a treat.

Independent

"It actually went down.

The New York Times

It went down well.

The Economist

Chad Henne went down?

The New York Times - Sports

"I went down fighting".

The New York Times - Sports

Consumer choice went down.

The New York Times

Violence went down.

The New York Times

The sun went down.

The New Yorker

Problems went down.

The New Yorker

My guard went down.

The New Yorker

The hammer went down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went down" to describe a decrease, decline, or failure in a variety of contexts, from sports to economics. For example, "The price of oil went down after the announcement."

Common error

Avoid using "went down" when a more precise verb would better convey the literal action of something moving downwards. For example, instead of "He went down the stairs", use "He descended the stairs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went down" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a past action. It is commonly used to describe a decline, decrease, or failure. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

27%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went down" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to describe a decrease, decline, or failure, as supported by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in specific writing scenarios. The phrase is widely recognized and understood, making it a useful addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased

Indicates a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity; more formal and often used in statistical or analytical contexts.

declined

Suggests a gradual reduction or deterioration; often used for abstract concepts or general trends.

fell

Implies a sudden or rapid drop, often used for physical objects or measurable quantities.

dropped

Similar to "fell" but can also imply a less dramatic or more controlled descent.

sank

Suggests a downward movement into something, often used for objects into liquids or metaphorical situations.

receded

Implies a gradual withdrawal or decrease, often used for water levels or abstract concepts like influence or power.

diminished

Suggests a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

collapsed

Indicates a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

failed

Implies a lack of success or a breakdown in functionality.

was defeated

Suggests being overcome or losing in a competition or conflict.

FAQs

What does "went down" mean?

The phrase "went down" is the past tense of "go down" and can mean to decrease, decline, sink, or fail, depending on the context. For instance, "The sun went down" indicates sunset, while "The price went down" signifies a decrease.

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

You can use "went down" in various contexts to describe a decrease, such as "The temperature "went down" overnight". It can also describe something sinking, like "The ship "went down" in the storm". Finally, it can refer to a failure, for example "The negotiations "went down" due to disagreements".

What can I say instead of "went down"?

You can use alternatives like "decreased", "declined", or "fell" depending on the context. For example, instead of "The stock price went down", you could say "The stock price declined".

Is it appropriate to use "went down" in formal writing?

While "went down" is commonly used, consider using more formal alternatives like "decreased" or "diminished" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.