go with
2 meanings
look good together with something
What does "go with" mean in this sense?
Examples
- Do you think this tie goes with my shirt, or is it too much?
- I bought those cushions because they go well with the sofa.
- She wasn't sure which shoes would go with her dress, so she tried on three pairs.
How to use it
The most common pattern, where one item is described as complementing another. The object always follows 'with' and cannot be moved.
That navy jacket goes with almost everything in your wardrobe.
Adding 'well' before 'with' is very natural and extremely common — it emphasises that the match is a good one.
A light scarf goes well with that grey coat.
The negative form is just as common and describes two things that clash or don't look right together.
Those shoes don't really go with your trousers — the styles are too different.
Used in conditional or hypothetical situations, for example when imagining or suggesting a combination.
I think a red belt would go with that dress perfectly.
Pronouns always come after 'with', never between 'go' and 'with'.
I love those curtains — do you think they go with it, or is the colour too similar?
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes put 'well' after 'with', but it must come before it. The correct order is 'goes well with', not 'goes with well'.
'Match' suggests two things are the same colour or form an exact pair, while 'go with' means they look good together even if they're different. Use 'go with' when you want to describe complementary style, not an identical pair.
'Go with' can also mean 'choose' (I'll go with the pasta) or 'accompany someone'. When talking about style or aesthetics, the object of 'with' is always a thing — a colour, clothing item, or décor element — not a person or a decision.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral and equally common in British and American English. It is most often used in the simple present tense to describe general compatibility, e.g. 'Blue goes well with grey.'
choose a particular option or person
Sense 2: What does "go with sb/sth" mean?
Examples
- In the end, we went with the second design because it looked more modern.
- I'm not sure which hotel to book — I think I'll go with the one near the city centre.
- Should we go with the original plan or try something new?
How to use it
The most common pattern — a person or group chooses a thing, plan, or option.
After looking at all the quotes, we decided to go with the local company.
Very common when pointing to or referencing a specific option that has already been mentioned.
I like both colours, but I think I'll go with that one.
Pronouns always come after 'with' — never between 'go' and 'with'.
We've got two proposals on the table — let's go with it and see how it works.
Used in the fixed expression meaning to trust your instinct rather than overthinking.
If you're not sure which answer is right, just go with your gut.
Often used with 'I'll' or 'let's' when announcing a decision in a conversational or group setting.
Let's go with the original plan — I think it's still the best approach.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
'Go with' is always inseparable — the object must come after 'with', never between 'go' and 'with'. This applies to pronouns too.
When the object is a person, 'go with' sounds like it means to accompany them, not to choose them. To avoid confusion, make sure the object is a thing, plan, or option when you mean 'choose'.
'Go with' in the 'choose' sense describes a decision, not an ongoing action, so the present continuous sounds unnatural. Use 'I'll go with' or 'we're going to go with' instead.
Usage
'Go with' is neutral and works in both casual conversation and semi-formal settings like meetings. It sounds slightly more informal than 'opt for' or 'choose', making it ideal for spoken English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'go with' in the passive, like 'the shoes were gone with the dress'?
No — 'go with' in this sense doesn't work in the passive. It describes a two-way aesthetic relationship between items, so we always say one thing goes with another, keeping the active structure.
What kinds of things can be the subject of 'go with'?
Usually clothing items (shoes, jacket, scarf, belt), colours, food and drink (wine, a sauce), or home décor (furniture, curtains, carpet). The subject is typically a thing being evaluated for how well it suits something else.
Does 'go with' always mean something positive?
Not necessarily — you can use it negatively too. 'That colour doesn't go with your jacket' means the two things clash. Both positive and negative forms are equally natural and common.
Is 'go with' more common in British or American English?
It's equally common in both. There's no significant regional difference, so you'll hear and read it in both British and American contexts without any change in meaning.
Are there any intensifiers I can use with 'go with' to sound more natural?
Yes — 'well' is by far the most common, as in 'goes well with'. You can also use 'really well', 'perfectly', or 'beautifully' to strengthen the idea: for example, 'That wine goes perfectly with the cheese.'
Does 'go with' always mean 'choose'? I've seen it used in other ways.
No, 'go with' has a few different meanings. It can mean to accompany someone ('She went with him to the airport') or to match something ('Red wine goes with red meat'). This page covers only the 'choose' sense. The easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the object — if it's a thing or option being chosen, it's this sense.
Can I use 'go with' in a business meeting, or is it too informal?
It works well in meetings and semi-formal discussions — it's a natural way to announce a decision without sounding stiff. You might hear it in phrases like 'We've decided to go with the second proposal.' If you're writing a very formal report, 'opt for' or 'select' might be more appropriate, but for spoken business English, 'go with' is perfectly fine.
What does 'go with your gut' mean?
It's a common fixed expression meaning to trust your first instinct or feeling rather than spending too long analysing a situation. For example: 'If you're not sure which option to pick, just go with your gut.' It's a very natural and widely used phrase in everyday English.
Can 'go with' be used in the passive, like 'the option was gone with'?
No — the passive sounds very unnatural here. Because 'go with' describes a personal act of choosing, you always need an active subject making the decision. Instead of a passive construction, just say who made the choice: 'The team went with the cheaper option.'
What kinds of things can follow 'go with' when it means 'choose'?
Almost any option, plan, product, or idea can follow 'go with' — for example, a design, a supplier, a strategy, a recommendation, or a specific choice like 'option A'. Demonstratives like 'that' and 'this one' are also very common. The key is that the object should be a thing or idea, not a person, to avoid confusion with the 'accompany' sense.
Ready to practise?
Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.
Start Practising →