go over

check or talk about each part of something carefully

B1

What does "go sth over" mean?

To 'go over' something means to look at it carefully, part by part, to make sure you understand or haven't missed anything. It is used when someone examines a document, plan, or set of information in detail — for example, reading through a contract carefully before signing, or discussing the key points of a report with a colleague. It often suggests re-examination, which is why you frequently hear it with words like 'again' or 'once more'. This phrasal verb is very common in classrooms, business meetings, and everyday situations where preparation or careful checking is involved. It is a little less formal than 'review' or 'examine', so it works equally well in a team meeting or a casual chat between friends.

Examples

How to use it

go over + document/topic

The most common pattern — the object (a plan, report, notes, rules, etc.) always follows directly after 'over'.

The manager asked everyone to go over the report before Thursday's meeting.

go over + pronoun (it/them/everything)

Pronouns also follow 'over' — never place them between 'go' and 'over'.

I wasn't sure about the instructions, so the teacher went over them with us again.

go over + object + again / once more

Adding 'again' or 'once more' is very natural and emphasises that something is being re-examined.

Let's go over the budget once more before we send it to the client.

let's go over + object

The imperative and 'let's' form is extremely common, especially to introduce a review at the start of a meeting or lesson.

Let's go over the rules quickly before we begin the activity.

need to / want to / going to + go over + object

Modal and future constructions are frequently used to express the intention to review something.

We're going to go over the schedule at the start of tomorrow's session.

Common Collocations

go over the detailsgo over the plango over the notesgo over the rulesgo over the answers

Common Mistakes

Separating the verb and particle

Unlike some phrasal verbs, 'go over' in this sense should not be separated — the object must always come after 'over', not between 'go' and 'over'.

✗ Can we go the contract over one more time?
✓ Can we go over the contract one more time?
Confusing 'go over' with 'go through'

'Go through' is very similar but suggests a more step-by-step process from beginning to end, like working through a checklist in order. 'Go over' focuses more on reviewing or discussing something carefully. In many sentences they are interchangeable, but the difference in focus can matter.

Using a physical location as the object

When the object of 'go over' is a physical place (like a bridge or a wall), the meaning changes completely — it means to move across or travel over something, not to examine it. Always check that your object is a document, plan, or piece of information.

✗ We went over the bridge. (This does NOT mean we examined it.)
✓ We went over the proposal. (This means we examined it in detail.)

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both formal meetings and casual conversation. It is very often used with 'again' or 'once more' to stress that something is being re-examined.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'go over' be used without an object?

In this sense, no — 'go over' needs an object (the thing being examined or discussed). Saying 'let's go over' without saying what you are reviewing sounds incomplete. You need to specify what is being reviewed, for example: 'let's go over the agenda'.

Does 'go over' always mean something is being looked at for the second time?

Not always, but re-examination is a very common use. You can 'go over' something for the first time — for example, a teacher going over the exam instructions at the start of a test. However, the addition of 'again' or 'once more' is very frequent and signals that something is being reviewed a second time.

Can I use 'go over' in the passive, like 'the report was gone over'?

This is not natural in English. The verb 'go' does not work well in passive constructions. If you need a passive sentence, it is much more natural to use 'review' or 'examine' instead — for example, 'the report was reviewed by the team'.

Is 'go over' more formal or informal than similar words like 'review'?

It is slightly less formal than 'review' or 'examine', but it is considered neutral and is perfectly appropriate in professional and academic contexts. You would hear it in business meetings, job interviews, and classrooms without any problem. If you are writing a very formal document, 'review' might be a safer choice.

What kinds of things can you 'go over'?

Typically, the object is a document, plan, or piece of information — things like notes, a contract, a report, the rules, the agenda, the details, the answers, or the instructions. You would not 'go over' a physical object or place in this sense; that would carry a different meaning entirely.

Related Phrasal Verbs

look sth over
pore over sth

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