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If we are moving towards something (often a place), we use the phrase “go to …”:

go to N

Examples:

go to work:  Tom went to work today.
go to school:  Jack didn’t go to school yesterday because he was sick.
go to the doctor:  Grandfather goes to the doctor every month for blood work.
go to the store:  Can you go to the store and get some bananas?
go to Europe:  I went to Europe when I was 12.
go to bed:  It’s time for the children to go to bed.

Certain phrases use “go on N” (where the noun is a trip or something similar):

Examples:

go on a trip:  This summer we’re going on a trip to Alaska.
go on vacation:  Tom always goes on vacation in July.
go on a tour:  The best way to see the sights of Rome is to go on a guided tour.
go on an excursion:  Last summer we went on an excursion to Devil’s Lake State Park.
go on a cruise:  Ted and Alice went on a Caribbean cruise for their second honeymoon.
go on strike:  The firemen are prohibited from going on strike.

Expressions:

go on a (drinking, eating) binge:  overindulge, drink/eat to excess.

After the death of her mother, Sally went on an eating binge.

Every payday, Max goes on a drinking binge.

In particular:  go on a bender:  drink alcohol to excess.

Every time the team lost, Coach Smith went on a bender.

go on a (shopping / shooting / killing / spending) spree:  unlimited shopping / shooting / killing / spending.

Uncle Felix doesn’t like it whenever Aunt Polly goes on a shopping spree.
The murderer went on a shooting spree, killing a dozen and severely wounding two.
The people will revolt in Congress continues to ignore the will of the people by going on spending sprees every time they turn around.

Certain phrases use “go for (a) N,” where the noun is an activity.

Examples:

go for a walk:  It’s a nice, sunny day – let’s go for a walk.
go for a run:  Every morning John goes for a run before work.
go for a swim:  After a hard day’s work, Steve likes to relax by going for a swim.
go for a ride:  Our dog Bowser loves to go for a ride in the pickup truck.
go (somewhere) for breakfast / lunch / dinner / a snack / a drink:  After work on Fridays the entire department usually goes out for a drink.

Note:  go on a date (not go for a date):

Jim is too shy to ask Debbie to go on a date with him.

For many sports, we use the phrase “go –ing…”:

go + V ( –ing)…

Examples:

I like to go skiing.
Grandmother didn’t like to go skating when she was a girl.
The children want to go swimming after lunch.
Have you ever gone bowling?
Rip Van Winkle went hunting in the mountains with his dog, and never came back.
Rusty goes sailing every weekend.
The boys went fishing early this morning.

Also:  go shopping (not a sport, although some people may view it as a competitive activity 🙂 )

Mother went Christmas shopping this afternoon.

 

Exercises. Complete the following sentences using “to / on / for” as appropriate.

Example:

I’m going ______ vacation next week. ==>  I’m going on vacation next week.

1.    John goes ______ school only three days a week.
2.    I’m too tired to go ______ a run today – maybe tomorrow I’ll have enough energy.
3.    We can’t afford to go ______ a trip for Christmas break.
4.    The travel agent recommended that Bob go ______ a cruise in February during the off-season.
5.    I wouldn’t go ______ a date with Sam even if you paid me!
6.    I don’t think we have time to go ______ the store today.
7.    Mrs. Smith went ______ the doctor for her arthritis.
8.    Since it gets so hot in the desert, Hal goes ______ a bike ride while it’s still dark out.
9.    Mother refuses to let Uncle John come in the house when he’s gone ______ a drinking binge.
10.    Our band will go ______ a tour in February.
11.    Few people like to go ______ the dentist.
12.    Do you want to go ______ the pancake house for breakfast?
13.    Peter is going ______ the bank and to deposit the week’s receipts.
14.    Tom and Mary usually go ______ the library and study together.
15.    What time do you go ______ work on Tuesdays?
16.    What a time for the baggage handlers to go ______ strike, right in the middle of the tourist season!
17.    The Millers are going ______ vacation with their in-laws.
18.    Uncle Billy likes to go ______ the train station and watch the trains come and go.
19.    Why don’t you go ______ bed early if you think you’re coming down with a cold?
20.    We went ______ an excursion in the woods for our weekly Scout meeting.
21.    Aunt Agnes went ______ a shopping spree with the money she won in the lottery.
22.    Let’s go ______ a swim before the kids wake up.
23.    Mike was a serious student, and never went ______ a bender with his roommates.
24.    Would you like to go ______ Europe someday?
25.    Mr. Maxwell isn’t here – he went ______ a walk about an hour ago.

Exercises.  Use the picture to complete the sentences.  Use go/goes/going/went + –ing.

Example:

Father and Uncle Jack / last weekend / and caught a nice trout.  ==> Father and Uncle Jack went fishing last weekend and caught a nice trout.

Bob / often / for exercise

Jack and Jill / usually / Friday nights

Grandmother and Grandfather / every day

Mr. Brown / yesterday

Every morning / Peter

Paul / on weekends

The young lady / every day / for the past month

Grandmother / often / when she was young

The children / every day / after school

Last month / Luke / in Hawaii

Eddie and Frank / usually / before breakfast

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