Phrasal verb
go through
Definition
phrasal verb. to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation; you can also use this when you check something carefully.
phrasal verb. to experience or endure a difficult period; also functions as a transitive verb meaning to examine a collection of items or a document in detail.
Examples
“She is going through a hard time at work.”
“We need to go through these files to find the missing contract before the meeting starts.”
“The nation is going through a period of profound economic transformation that requires significant social adjustment.”
Examples
simple
“She is going through a hard time at work.”
contextual
“We need to go through these files to find the missing contract before the meeting starts.”
complex
“The nation is going through a period of profound economic transformation that requires significant social adjustment.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “go through” in context.
Verb
01. carefully go through the report
“The manager will carefully go through the report to check for any mistakes.”
adv + verb
02. go through a difficult phase
“Most teenagers go through a difficult phase where they argue with their parents.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
03. go through a hard time
“She is going through a hard time after losing her job last month.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
04. go through the details
“Let's go through the details of the contract one more time before we sign it.”
verb + prep + noun
05. go through the paperwork
“It took me all afternoon to go through the paperwork for my visa application.”
verb + prep + noun
06. go through your pockets
“The security guard asked him to go through his pockets at the airport.”
verb + prep + possessive + noun
Usage
when meaning 'experience', the object is usually a negative or challenging event.
Teaching tip
distinguish between the 'experience' sense (inseparable) and the 'examine' sense; both are common, but the 'experience' sense is more idiomatic for B1 learners.
Pitfall
He went through a great success.
He had a great success.
'go through' is almost exclusively used for negative or difficult experiences, not positive ones.
Phrasal verb
Particles
through
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
go + through + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/go-through