Word
went
US/ˈwɛnt/
UK/wˈɛnt/
Definition
v. the past tense of 'go'; you use this to say that you moved from one place to another in the past.
v. the irregular simple past tense of 'go'. It functions as the preterite for all senses of 'go', including physical movement, change of state, and the passage of time.
Examples
“She went to the store to buy some milk.”
“We went to the beach last weekend because the weather was finally warm enough for swimming.”
“The delegation went to the capital to present their findings to the committee, hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing dispute.”
Examples
simple
“She went to the store to buy some milk.”
contextual
“We went to the beach last weekend because the weather was finally warm enough for swimming.”
complex
“The delegation went to the capital to present their findings to the committee, hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing dispute.”
Usage
This is an irregular past tense form; it does not take the '-ed' ending.
Pitfall
I have went to the store already.
I have gone to the store already.
In standard English, 'went' is only for the simple past. Use 'gone' after 'have', 'has', or 'had'.
Etymology
Originally the simple past and past participle of wend, but now the past of go due to suppletion. While wend is akin to wind, compare typologically Russian смота́ться (smotátʹsja), сма́тываться (smátyvatʹsja), умота́ть (umotátʹ), ума́тывать (umátyvatʹ) (akin to мота́ть (motátʹ)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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