went for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that somebody has moved in the direction of a particular place or goal, either literally or figuratively. For example: "She went for her dream job despite the long commute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I went for it.

The New York Times

("We went for blood").

The New York Times - Magazine

I went for sneakers.

The New York Times

He went for coffee.

The New York Times - Sports

They went for it.

The New York Times

She went for the girl.

The New Yorker

"So we went for it".

The New York Times - Sports

The same went for audiences.

The New York Times

Healy just went for it".

The New Yorker

Women went for older men.

The New Yorker

The cameras went for fun.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went for" to clearly indicate a deliberate choice or action taken to achieve a specific goal or select a particular option. For instance, "The company went for a bold new marketing strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "went for" when a more precise verb would better convey the specific action. Saying "He went for the car" is vague; specify if he bought, rented, or simply approached it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went for" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of choosing, attempting, or moving toward something. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts ranging from selecting an item to pursuing a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "went for" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a choice, attempt, or movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, showcasing its broad applicability. While alternatives like "aimed for" or "opted for" exist, "went for" offers a direct and clear way to express a decision or action. To enhance clarity, ensure the context specifies the nature of the action, such as "went for a walk" or "went for the promotion". Using "went for" effectively can enrich your writing by providing a concise and readily understandable way to describe actions and choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went after

Synonymous to went for, but can sometimes emphasize the act of chasing or pursuing something more aggressively.

aimed for

Focuses on the act of directing effort or intention towards a specific target or goal.

opted for

Emphasizes the selection or choice made from a range of possibilities.

pursued

Highlights the active effort and determination in trying to achieve something.

strove for

Implies a sustained and often difficult effort to reach a particular goal.

reached for

Implies an attempt to obtain or grasp something, often with an element of stretching or extending effort.

sought after

Focuses on actively looking for or trying to obtain something that is desired.

chose

Highlights the decision-making aspect of selecting something from available options.

selected

Similar to chose, but may imply a more careful or deliberate decision.

decided on

Indicates a firm decision to choose a specific course of action or option.

FAQs

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

You can use "went for" to indicate choosing something (e.g., "I went for the blue shirt"), attempting something (e.g., "He went for the win"), or physically moving towards something (e.g., "She went for a walk").

What's a good alternative to "went for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "aimed for", "opted for", or "pursued" to convey similar meanings.

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

"Gone for" is the past participle of "go for" and is used with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had" (e.g., "He has gone for a run"). "Went for" is the simple past tense and is used without auxiliary verbs (e.g., "He went for a run").

What's the difference between "went for" and "went after"?

While both phrases can indicate pursuit, "went after" often implies a more active or aggressive chase or pursuit than "went for". For example, "The detective went after the suspect" suggests a more intense pursuit than "The detective went for a coffee."