go about

start doing or dealing with a task in a particular way

B2

What does "go about sth" mean?

To 'go about' something means to deal with it in a particular way — the focus is on the method or approach you use, not just the fact that you start. It is most commonly used to talk about how you tackle a challenge, complete a task, or handle a situation. You will often see it in questions and indirect questions using 'how', such as 'How do you go about finding a new job?' or 'I'm not sure how to go about this.' It works equally well in everyday conversation and in more professional contexts like advice articles or instructional guides. The key idea is always process and manner: not simply what you do, but the way you do it.

Examples

How to use it

how to go about + gerund

The most common structure, used in indirect questions to ask about the method for doing something.

He had no idea how to go about writing a formal complaint.

how + do/does/did + subject + go about + gerund

Used in direct questions to ask about the approach or process someone uses.

How did you go about finding tenants for your flat?

go about + noun phrase

Used when referring to tackling a task or situation, with a noun object following 'about'.

She went about the negotiation carefully, listening before making any offers.

go about + it/this

Pronoun objects are very natural and common, especially in conversation when the task has already been mentioned.

I think we're going about it the wrong way — let's reconsider our strategy.

not sure / don't know how to go about + gerund/it

A frequent conversational pattern used to express uncertainty about how to handle something.

She wasn't sure how to go about raising the issue with her supervisor.

Common Collocations

go about itgo about solving a problemgo about applying for somethinggo about things the right waygo about finding a solutiongo about making changes

Common Mistakes

Dropping 'about'

Learners sometimes leave out 'about' entirely, which produces an unnatural sentence. The word 'about' is always required in this phrasal verb.

✗ How do I go applying for a scholarship?
✓ How do I go about applying for a scholarship?
Confusing 'go about' with 'set about'

'Set about' emphasises starting a task with energy or determination, while 'go about' focuses on the method or manner of tackling something. They are not always interchangeable — if you want to talk about process or approach, use 'go about'.

✗ Can you explain how you set about the problem? I want to know your method.
✓ Can you explain how you went about the problem? I want to know your method.
Confusing the 'approach a task' sense with the 'circulate' sense

'Go about' can also mean to move around or circulate (e.g. a rumour going about), which is a completely different meaning. When you mean 'deal with a task in a particular way', always make sure a task-related object or gerund follows — for example, 'go about solving it', not just 'go about'.

✗ She went about the office spreading the news. (intended meaning: she was dealing with the task)
✓ She went about updating everyone in the office by sending a clear, organised email.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both everyday conversation and professional contexts. It is almost always used with 'how', either in direct questions ('How should I go about this?') or indirect questions ('I'm not sure how to go about it').

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'go about' always need 'how' before it?

Not always, but 'how' is very strongly associated with this phrasal verb. Constructions like 'how do you go about it?' or 'I don't know how to go about this' are by far the most common. You can use it without 'how' — for example, 'she went about the task methodically' — but this is less frequent.

Can I use 'go about' in the passive, like 'it was gone about carefully'?

No — 'go about' does not work in the passive in English. It always needs an active subject doing the approaching or tackling. If you want to describe the manner, use an active construction instead, such as 'they went about it carefully'.

What kinds of things can follow 'go about'?

You can follow 'go about' with a noun phrase referring to a task or challenge (e.g. 'go about the problem'), a gerund (e.g. 'go about fixing it', 'go about applying for a loan'), or a pronoun like 'it' or 'this'. It collocates naturally with tasks that involve some kind of process or planning.

Is there a difference between 'go about this' and 'go about doing this'?

Both are correct, but they work slightly differently. 'Go about this' uses a noun or pronoun as the object and refers to the task itself. 'Go about doing this' uses a gerund and refers to the action involved. In practice, they are often interchangeable: 'how do you go about this?' and 'how do you go about doing this?' mean essentially the same thing.

Is 'go about' used the same way in British and American English?

Yes — 'go about' in this sense is used across both British and American English without any significant difference in meaning or frequency. You can use it confidently in either variety.

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