went off

USAGE SUMMARY

"went off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a sound or noise, especially a sudden one. Example: Suddenly, a loud alarm went off and startled everyone in the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It went off.

The New York Times

Three shots went off.

The New York Times

The alarm went off.

The New York Times

The lights went off.

The New Yorker

It just went off".

The New Yorker

"The sirens went off".

The New Yorker

Wayne went off.

The New Yorker

Several shots went off.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

These patients went off-study.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

An alarm goes off.

The New York Times

Hearing aids going off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, use "went off" to indicate a sudden occurrence or activation. For example, "The alarm went off", or "The crowd went off when their team scored."

Common error

Avoid using "went off" in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise or sophisticated term is appropriate. Instead of "The experiment went off without a hitch", consider "The experiment proceeded successfully".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went off" primarily functions as a verb phrase, specifically the simple past tense of the phrasal verb "go off". It is used to describe the action of something suddenly starting, exploding, or triggering. Ludwig shows many examples of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "went off" is a versatile verb phrase primarily used to describe the sudden occurrence of an event, such as an alarm sounding or an explosion happening. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. As exemplified by Ludwig's numerous examples, it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to its use in formal or technical writing where more precise language may be preferred. Knowing related phrases such as "exploded", "detonated", and "rang out" can help refine your writing and ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detonated

Focuses specifically on the explosion aspect, particularly in contexts involving bombs or similar devices.

exploded

Similar to "detonated" but can also be used in a more figurative sense.

was triggered

Highlights the mechanism that caused something to activate or start.

rang out

Specifically highlights the sound something produces, like an alarm or bell.

was activated

Similar to "was triggered", but more general and applicable to various systems and devices.

suddenly began

Emphasizes the abrupt start of an action or event.

departed

Emphasizes the act of leaving or setting out, particularly in travel-related scenarios.

left abruptly

Focuses on the sudden and unexpected nature of someone's departure.

malfunctioned

Highlights that something suddenly stops working correctly.

lost control

Implies a sudden loss of control, either physically or emotionally.

FAQs

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

You can use "went off" to describe something that suddenly made a noise or exploded. For example, "The fire alarm "went off"" or "The bomb "went off"".

What are some alternatives to "went off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "exploded", "detonated", "rang", or "departed". For example, instead of "The gun "went off"", you could say "The gun fired".

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

"Gone off" is the past participle form, typically used with an auxiliary verb like "has" or "had". "Went off" is the simple past tense. For example, "The alarm had "gone off"" (correct) versus "The alarm "went off"" (correct).

What does it mean when someone says "I went off"?

When someone says "I "went off"", it often means they suddenly became angry or started talking at length, possibly aggressively. The meaning can vary slightly based on context.