gone
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.the past participle of the verb 'go'.
v.the past participle of the irregular verb 'go', used to form perfect tenses and the passive voice.
Simple“By the time I arrived at the station, the train had already gone.”
In context“The witnesses confirmed that the suspect had already gone by the time the first patrol car reached the scene.”
UsageUsed with the auxiliary verb 'have' to form the present perfect.
PitfallHe is gone to the shop. He has gone to the shop.Use 'has gone' to describe the action of leaving; 'is gone' describes the state of being away.
- 02 A2 Elementary
adj.not here anymore because you have left for another place.
adj.away from a specific place; having departed.
Simple“I went to see my neighbor, but she was already gone for the day.”
In context“The summer tourists are mostly gone now, leaving the coastal village to its quiet winter rhythms.”
UsageOften follows the verb 'to be'.
- 03 A2 Elementary
adj.no longer available because it has been used, eaten, or taken.
adj.completely consumed, spent, or exhausted.
Simple“Is all the milk gone already? I only bought it yesterday.”
In context“The emergency supplies were gone within forty-eight hours, forcing the relief team to request an immediate air-drop.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
adj.a polite way to say that someone has died.
adj.deceased; no longer living. Often used as a euphemism to soften the impact of death.
Simple“My grandfather has been gone for ten years now, but I still miss him.”
In context“Though the great poet is long gone, her influence continues to shape the work of contemporary writers across the globe.”
Teacher's tipThis is a common euphemism; it is softer than saying 'dead' in emotional situations.
- 05 C1 Advanced
adj.not noticing what is happening around you, perhaps because you are very tired or confused.
adj.lacking awareness of one's surroundings, often due to exhaustion, mental decline, or intoxication.
Simple“He was so tired after the marathon that he was completely gone.”
In context“By the end of the long flight, most of the passengers looked absolutely gone, staring blankly at the baggage carousel.”
Synonyms - 06 B1 Intermediate
prep.later than a specific time.
prep.past or later than a specified time; used to indicate that a certain hour has already passed.
Simple“It was gone ten o'clock when we finally finished dinner.”
In context“It was well gone midnight by the time the last guests finally decided to head home.”
UsageAlways precedes the time mentioned.
Teacher's tipThis is very common in British English but less frequent in American English.
Usage gone wrong · gone far · gone on to win