Go Through Phrasal Verb

Video Overview

This video deals with the phrasal verb 'go through.' Watch the video and then read our analysis afterwards.

Video Analysis

The phrasal verb 'go through' has a number of uses in professional and social contexts. To 'go through' something can mean to examine, study, or search for something in a thorough or detailed way. You might 'go through' an article, for example, to find specific information; or 'go through' your work to look for any mistakes. If a request, contract, law, or change in rules is accepted or approved, you can say that it has been 'gone through', meaning that it has passed a number of stages and is now ready to be put into action.

To 'go through' something can also mean to experience or survive a difficult or unpleasant situation or period in your life. So, you can 'go through a tough time' or 'go through a difficult experience', for example. To 'go through' something can also mean to 'use up' materials or resources. So, you can say you 'go through' a lot of coffee when you are working late, for example. To 'go through' something can also mean to rehearse or to practice something. You might 'go through' a speech a few times before delivering it; or a dancer or athlete might 'go through' their movements many times in order to perfect them. If you follow a particular schedule or precise steps or procedures, you can say you 'go through a number of steps' or you 'go through a routine'.

Additional examples with 'go through' are:

A friend's company has a job opening that they think you should apply for. They offer to help you tailor your CV for the application:

"I can meet you this evening to go through your CV before you apply for the job."

A colleague has asked you to send a report to their new e-mail address. You received an e-mail telling you that your message could not be sent:

"I tried to send the report to you yesterday evening, but it appears the e-mail did not go through."

Your company is hosting an educational event for students from local schools. You want to make sure you have enough sandwiches for lunch:

"How many sandwiches do you think 80 school children will go through?"

You are driving for a long time and you want to stop for lunch:

"We can turn off the motorway and go through the town to look for a restaurant."

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