ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go along

phrasal verb.
B1 Intermediate Oxford General-service
Definition

phrasal verb. to make progress or develop while you are doing an activity.

phrasal verb. to proceed or progress with an activity; often used to describe learning or making decisions as a situation unfolds rather than planning in advance.


SIMPLE

I don't have a plan, I'll just learn as I go along.

CONTEXTUAL

The project was quite new to us, so we had to make up the rules as we went along.

COMPLEX

The composer didn't write the score beforehand but preferred to improvise and refine the melody as he went along during the performance.

Particles
along
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
go + along
Usage

frequently used with 'as' to describe simultaneous progress and learning.

Teaching tip

focus on the 'as you go along' construction, which is a very common way to describe learning by doing or 'on-the-job' adjustment.

Pitfall

I am going along with the project well.The project is going along well.when 'go along' means to progress, the activity or project is usually the subject, not the person, unless using 'as I go along'.

Last updated April 24, 2026