went fishing

USAGE SUMMARY

"went fishing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as part of a sentence when you want to indicate that someone went on a recreational fishing trip. For example, "On the weekend, Joe went fishing and caught a huge bass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I went fishing.

The New Yorker

He went fishing every day.

The New York Times

Instead, he went fishing.

The Guardian - Books

They went fishing together.

The New York Times

He went fishing in the Huron River.

The New York Times - Sports

She never even went fishing.

The New York Times - Sports

"And then you went fishing".

The New York Times

"Maybe it's time he went fishing".

The New York Times

Agents went "fishing" for customers, mailing live checks to leads.

The New York Times

Later Paul joined them and she went fishing with him.

The New Yorker

So Mr. Doersam made other plans: he went fishing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past event, "went fishing" is a clear and concise way to indicate the activity of fishing. For variation, consider using synonyms like "fished" or "gone angling" to enhance your writing.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying the timeframe when using "went fishing". Avoid vague statements like "He went fishing" without indicating when the activity occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went fishing" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a past action. It describes the act of someone going to fish as a leisure activity, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went fishing" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the past action of someone engaging in fishing. Ludwig's examples indicate that it frequently appears in news and media contexts, serving to convey information about personal experiences or activities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English, and the numerous examples provided underscore its widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fished

A shorter, more direct way of saying "went fishing".

gone angling

Replaces "fishing" with a synonym, maintaining the activity but changing the specific vocabulary.

was fishing

Focuses on the action of fishing, potentially implying a continuous activity.

did some fishing

Uses a more general verb phrase to describe the activity of fishing.

took a fishing trip

Emphasizes the trip aspect of the fishing activity.

enjoyed a fishing excursion

Adds a sense of leisure and enjoyment to the fishing activity.

engaged in fishing

A more formal way of saying "went fishing".

spent time fishing

Highlights the duration of the fishing activity.

participated in fishing

Similar to 'engaged in fishing' but might imply a more organized event.

undertook a fishing expedition

Implies a more serious or adventurous fishing activity.

FAQs

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

"Went fishing" indicates the action of going to fish. For example, "Yesterday, I "went fishing" with my dad."

What are some alternatives to saying "went fishing"?

You can use alternatives such as "fished", "gone angling", or "took a fishing trip" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "gone fishing" instead of "went fishing"?

"Gone fishing" usually implies that someone is currently away fishing, often indicated by a sign. "Went fishing" simply indicates that someone fished in the past.

What's the difference between "went fishing" and "fishing" as a gerund?

"Went fishing" is a past tense verb phrase indicating a completed action. "Fishing" as a gerund acts as a noun, for example, "Fishing is a relaxing hobby."