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Gerunds are often used in combinations after the verb go.
These combinations generally show leisure-time activities.
They are not used for sports, games, or work.
Here are some common go + gerund combinations:
go biking*
go boating
go bowling
go bungee jumping
go camping
go canoeing
go caroling*
go climbing
go cycling*
go dancing
go drinking
go driving*
go fishing
go golfing
go hiking
go hunting |
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go jogging
go riding*
go running
go sailing
go scuba diving
go shopping
go sightseeing
go skateboarding
go skating
go skiing
go sky diving
go sledding
go surfing
go swimming
go trick-or-treating* |
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Special Notes:
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Combinations of go and a gerund aren't
normally used for competitive sports:
not used:
go basketballing / go baseballing /
go playing tennis / go wrestling / etc.
Instead, the combination go play (noun)
is normal:
go play basketball / baseball / tennis /
badminton / pool / soccer / handball / etc.
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| 2. |
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Some combinations of go and a gerund
have special meanings:
go biking = (usually) go mountain-bike
riding or go motorcycle riding
go cycling = go bicycle riding (formal!)
go driving = drive for enjoyment--not
because you want to travel to a particular place
go riding = go horseback riding
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| 3. |
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Some combinations of go and a gerund
are used only at particular times of the year:
go caroling = travel from house to house
singing Christmas songs (at Christmas only)
go trick-or-treating = travel from house
to house wearing masks and costumes and
asking for treats (a traditional children's
activity at Hallowe'en)
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| 4. |
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Combinations of go and a gerund can often
be made specific:
go hunting ---> go deer hunting /
dove hunting / duck hunting /
rabbit hunting / squirrel hunting, etc.
go fishing ---> go bass fishing /
deep-sea fishing / trout fishing etc.
go climbing ---> go mountain climbing /
rock climbing
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| 5. |
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Two variations on the expression go shopping
are particularly common: go grocery shopping
and go window shopping. When you are
shopping for particular items, the usual form is
go shopping for _____ :
go shopping for a new car
go shopping for shoes
go shopping for a new dress
go shopping for a sports jacket
etc.
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| 6. |
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Remember: Combinations of go and
a gerund are generally used for leisure-time
activities. (We do not say *go working or
*go studying, for example.) |
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