What Does “Go in for sth” Mean?
“Go in for sth” means to like, enjoy, or choose to do a particular activity, hobby, or interest. It can also mean to participate in something, like a competition or exam.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “go in for sth” is commonly used in English to express liking or choosing an activity, hobby, or subject. When you say you “go in for” something, it often means you enjoy it or take part in it regularly. For example, you might say, “I go in for sports,” meaning you like sports or participate in them. Additionally, it can be used when someone decides to enter a competition or an exam, such as “She decided to go in for the singing contest.”
Understanding the “go in for sth meaning” will help you use this phrase naturally in conversations and writing. It’s a versatile expression often heard in both informal and formal English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: go in for something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to like or enjoy something, or to take part in an activity
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Go in for” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot put the object between “go in” and “for.” You must keep the verb and particle together, followed by the object.
- Correct: go in for sports
- Incorrect: go in sports for
Pattern:
- Subject + go in for + noun (activity, hobby, subject, competition)
How to Use “Go in for sth”?
You use “go in for sth” when you want to say that someone likes or enjoys an activity or regularly takes part in it. It can also indicate entering a competition or exam. The phrase works well with hobbies, sports, subjects, and contests.
For example, you can say:
- “He goes in for chess every weekend.”
- “Are you going in for the science exam next month?”
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “go in for sth in a sentence”:
- My sister goes in for painting as a hobby.
- Many students go in for the national math competition.
- Do you go in for any sports during your free time?
- He decided to go in for the singing contest at school.
- They go in for hiking every summer.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “go in for sth” with other phrasal verbs or use incorrect word order. Here are examples of common mistakes:
- Incorrect: I go for in tennis.
- Correct: I go in for tennis.
- Incorrect: She goes in the competition for.
- Correct: She goes in for the competition.
Remember, “go in for” must stay together, and the object comes after “for.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Go in for sth” is similar to “take up” or “enter.” However, there are differences:
- Go in for: emphasizes liking or choosing an activity or entering a competition.
- Take up: means to start a new hobby or activity.
- Enter: focuses on officially joining a competition or event.
Example:
- She goes in for swimming (she likes it or participates regularly).
- She took up swimming last year (she started learning it).
- She entered the swimming competition (she joined the contest).
Common Collocations
When using “go in for,” certain words often follow to describe activities or interests. These include:
- Sports: football, tennis, swimming
- Hobbies: painting, photography, gardening
- Subjects: math, science, literature
- Competitions: singing contest, spelling bee, quiz
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of go in for sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation using “go in for sth”:
Anna: Do you go in for any sports?
Tom: Yes, I go in for basketball and swimming. What about you?
Anna: I go in for painting and sometimes enter art competitions.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with “go in for” and the correct object:
- She decided to _____ the school drama competition.
- Do you _____ any musical instruments?
- We usually _____ hiking during summer holidays.
- He doesn’t _____ sports, but he loves reading.
FAQs
- Q: Can “go in for” be used with abstract things?
A: Yes, it can refer to interests like subjects or hobbies, which can be abstract. - Q: Is “go in for” formal or informal?
A: It is used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can “go in for” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “She went in for the competition last year.” - Q: Is “go in for” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable; the object always comes after “for.” - Q: What is the difference between “go in for” and “take part in”?
A: “Go in for” can mean liking or participating, while “take part in” only means participating in an event.
