ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go after

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford General-service

phr. v.. to try to catch someone or to try to get something that you want very much.

phr. v.. to pursue an objective or person; can function as a synonym for 'chase' or 'strive for' depending on the context.


SIMPLE

The police had to go after the thief.

CONTEXTUAL

She decided to go after the promotion even though the competition was very tough.

COMPLEX

The federal agency announced its intention to go after major corporations that have been systematically evading environmental regulations for decades.

Particles
after
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
go + after + object
Usage

always followed by an object, which can be a person, a goal, or a prize.

Teaching tip

help students distinguish between the physical sense of chasing someone and the metaphorical sense of pursuing a career goal or a dream.

Pitfall

He went the cat after.He went after the cat.this phrasal verb is inseparable; the object must come after the particle 'after'.

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