go ahead

start or continue doing something

A2

What does "go ahead" mean?

"Go ahead" means to start or continue doing something without waiting or hesitating. You use it when someone (or a group) decides to move forward with a plan, action, or idea. For example, a company might go ahead with a new project, or a person might go ahead and book a hotel room. The imperative form "Go ahead!" is also very common in spoken English — you say it to give someone permission to do something, like when a friend asks "Can I use your pen?" and you say "Go ahead!" This phrasal verb is useful in many everyday situations, from casual conversations to business decisions.

Examples

How to use it

go ahead (as a standalone imperative)

Used on its own to give someone permission or to encourage them to do something.

'Can I ask you something?' — 'Of course, go ahead!'

go ahead with + noun

Used when you want to mention the specific plan or activity that someone is proceeding with.

The team decided to go ahead with the meeting even though two people were absent.

go ahead and + verb

A very natural pattern that combines "go ahead" directly with the action being taken, often showing a decision or bold move.

He went ahead and ordered food for the whole table.

go ahead as planned

Used to say that something will or did happen according to the original plan, without changes or delays.

The outdoor concert went ahead as planned despite the cloudy weather.

Common Collocations

go ahead with the plango ahead with the projectgo ahead with the meetinggo ahead with the dealgo ahead and trygo ahead as planned

Common Mistakes

Putting a word between 'go' and 'ahead'

"Go ahead" always stays together — you cannot put an object or any other word between "go" and "ahead". If you want to mention what you are proceeding with, use "with" after "ahead".

✗ We decided to go it ahead.
✓ We decided to go ahead with it.
Confusing 'go ahead' with 'go through with'

"Go ahead" focuses on the decision to start or proceed with something. "Go through with" means completing something difficult that you already committed to — the emphasis is on finishing, not starting.

✗ It was scary, but she went ahead with the speech despite her nerves. (if the meaning is that she completed it despite difficulty)
✓ It was scary, but she went through with the speech despite her nerves.

Usage

The imperative 'Go ahead!' is extremely common in spoken English to give someone permission or encouragement. In past tense, 'went ahead and did something' often suggests the person acted boldly or without consulting others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'go ahead' be used without 'with' or another verb after it?

Yes! "Go ahead" can stand completely alone, especially as an imperative. "Go ahead!" on its own is one of the most common ways to give someone permission or encouragement in everyday English.

Does 'went ahead and did something' sound rude or negative?

Not always, but it can. "She went ahead and booked the trip" sounds confident and decisive, but in some situations it suggests the person acted without asking others first. The meaning depends on context and tone.

What is the difference between 'go ahead' and 'go ahead of'?

"Go ahead of" is about physical movement — it means to move in front of someone, like "Go ahead of me in the queue." "Go ahead" (as covered here) means to proceed with a plan or action. They look similar but have very different meanings.

Is 'the go-ahead' related to this phrasal verb?

Yes! "The go-ahead" is a noun form (written with a hyphen) that means permission or approval to start something. For example, "The manager gave us the go-ahead to start the project." It comes from the same idea of proceeding without hesitation.

Related Phrasal Verbs

go on

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