Nov 27, 2018 22:57
5 yrs ago
12 viewers *
English term
difference between \"go for\" and \"go with\" when both mean \"choose\"
English
Other
Linguistics
I would like to get a better understanding of and feeling for these two phrasal verbs when they mean "choose".
I've used both for years without giving it a second thought. Now as a translator and copyeditor, I'm becoming more conscious of such things, and I find myself having to a) defend my choice of words and b) consult others on linguistic issues such as this one.
Are there any shades of meaning or usage considerations that make them different? Different situations where you would use one but no the other?
(I'm aware of the multiple other definitions and meanings of each phrasal verb. I'm only interested in comparing and contrasting "go with" and "go for" in this specific meaning, "choose".)
Thank you for your detailed explanations!
P. S. I request explicitly that this be kept as a PRO question. I am not a novice learner of English nor am I looking for basic help here. Thank you.
I've used both for years without giving it a second thought. Now as a translator and copyeditor, I'm becoming more conscious of such things, and I find myself having to a) defend my choice of words and b) consult others on linguistic issues such as this one.
Are there any shades of meaning or usage considerations that make them different? Different situations where you would use one but no the other?
(I'm aware of the multiple other definitions and meanings of each phrasal verb. I'm only interested in comparing and contrasting "go with" and "go for" in this specific meaning, "choose".)
Thank you for your detailed explanations!
P. S. I request explicitly that this be kept as a PRO question. I am not a novice learner of English nor am I looking for basic help here. Thank you.
Responses
4 +9 | "go with" = "accept" and "go for" = "decide/opt" | David Hollywood |
4 | Go for and Go with | coldspring (X) |
Responses
+9
51 mins
Selected
"go with" = "accept" and "go for" = "decide/opt"
the difference is pretty subtle
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Note added at 57 mins (2018-11-27 23:54:43 GMT)
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depends on the context too as very often either option would be ok but if you really have to differentiate, "go with" implies "accept/agree with" e.g. "I'll go with your proposal as I accept it" while "go for" could also include a measure of doubt e.g. If I have to decide between two different options, "I'll go for" means I'll pick the one I prefer
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Note added at 3 hrs (2018-11-28 02:11:50 GMT)
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ok and "go with" here would be "I'll pick"
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Note added at 3 hrs (2018-11-28 02:13:41 GMT)
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it's a toughie for sure so you "pick"
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Note added at 3 hrs (2018-11-28 02:14:19 GMT)
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your English beats my Russian :)
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Note added at 57 mins (2018-11-27 23:54:43 GMT)
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depends on the context too as very often either option would be ok but if you really have to differentiate, "go with" implies "accept/agree with" e.g. "I'll go with your proposal as I accept it" while "go for" could also include a measure of doubt e.g. If I have to decide between two different options, "I'll go for" means I'll pick the one I prefer
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Note added at 3 hrs (2018-11-28 02:11:50 GMT)
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ok and "go with" here would be "I'll pick"
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Note added at 3 hrs (2018-11-28 02:13:41 GMT)
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it's a toughie for sure so you "pick"
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Note added at 3 hrs (2018-11-28 02:14:19 GMT)
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your English beats my Russian :)
Note from asker:
This is not the usage of "go with" that I was referring to. I'm talking about saying things "If I have to choose between a bowl of chicken soup and a Big Mac, I'll go with the Big Mac." |
"saying things like*". Sorry for my sloppy writing tonight. It's been a long day! |
Yes, I know it means "pick" in my example -- that's why I provided it. Suppose we exchange "go with" for "go for". "If I have to choose between a bowl of chicken soup and a Big Mac, I'll go for the Big Mac." Does this change anything at all? |
Peer comment(s):
agree |
writeaway
3 mins
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thanks writeaway
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agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
13 mins
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thanks Tina
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agree |
Jack Doughty
6 hrs
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thanks Jack
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agree |
Charles Davis
: I think this is basically right (for American English)
10 hrs
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thanks Charles
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agree |
Sarah Lewis-Morgan
11 hrs
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thanks Sarah
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agree |
Yvonne Gallagher
: "go with": Yes, possibly a nuance of "agree with" but not sure about "accept".
11 hrs
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thanks Yvonne
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agree |
B D Finch
: I think it's right for EN-UK too. "To go with" is more passive, (e.g. acceptance of a proposal), while "to go for" is more active.
12 hrs
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thanks B.D.
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agree |
Thayenga
: :)
13 hrs
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thanks Thayenga
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agree |
katsy
: agree with BD and others: go for = I choose; go with implies acceptance of a proposal which one has not initiated (cf. to go along with the American proposal)
4 days
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thanks katsy
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
2 days 14 hrs
Go for and Go with
A simple way to differentiate the two, differences between UK and American English notwithstanding, is that "go for" is a more active expression, and "go with" is a passive expression. They can broadly end up meaning the same thing, but each provides some descriptive context for the person performing the action.
Note from asker:
Thank you very much for confirming this. |
Discussion
I think I'm not alone:
"As a BE speaker, I would say "go for"."
"To go along with X" is common in BE, and although "to go with" seems to be increasing in popularity its frequency is only small in proportion to "to go for x" "
https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/go-with-vs-go-for.28...
If you use AmE this probably doesn't matter to you, but you may like to note it for information.
I find Amel's subtle distinctions persuasive, though since they don't refer to my own variety of English I can't really say for sure.
(I've edited this post; it's been pointed out to me that "go with" in this sense is listed in many dictionaries. I'm afraid I didn't look very thoroughly or effectively.)
I would tend to use "go with" for more mundane things, like I'll go with the chicken over the beef (in a restaurant). If I want to convey more enthusiasm, however, I might use "go for" in this circumstance as well...but there is the slight implication that I am doing something that I might not usually do. Like I might be breaking some diet I have, and I'm going to "go for" the beef because I want to splurge tonight. Or maybe it is expensive, and I am conveying that I don't care, even though I usually might.
One might also say "go for" to convey subtle humor...to "act" like they are making a bold or daring move even though it is an everyday choice.
I would tend to stay away from "go for" in formal situations.
This is my perspective as a native speaker of US English.
In American English at least, both can mean "choose," although "go with" is probably more common while to me "go for" also sometimes conveys enthusiasm.
If I made a difficult choice where I didn't like any of the options, I wouldn't likely say "go for."
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1. "I'll go with X" < "I'll go along with X" an expression used where the speaker has no firm decision in mind: not so much a choice rather a consensus/ easy compromise. e.g. "I will go along with your suggestion because I do not want an argument."
2. "I'll go for X" may be the same construction as "The dog went for the sheep" (head [quickly] in the direction of [often with the intent of securing the object for oneself]) or "He drew his bow and went for the Gold." -> to aim for, etc.: not so much a choice, more a target, an aspiration.
However, both do indicate to the listener what the speaker would be happy with.
"To go along with X" is common in BE, and although "to go with" seems to be increasing in popularity its frequency is only small in proportion to "to go for x"
(https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/go-with-vs-go-for.28...