What Does “Go out for sth” Mean?
“Go out for sth” means to leave your home or current place to get or do something specific, often for a short time.
Introduction
The phrase “go out for sth” is a common English expression used to describe the action of leaving a place to obtain or engage in something. It often refers to activities like going out for dinner, going out for a walk, or going out for drinks. Understanding the “go out for sth meaning” helps learners use this phrase naturally in conversations. It’s especially useful because it shows intention and purpose behind leaving a location. Whether you go out for fun, food, or exercise, this phrasal verb adds clarity and detail to your speech or writing.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: go out for sth (go out for something)
- Type: Intransitive + Preposition + Object
- Level: A2–B2
- Short meaning: To leave a place to do or get something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Go out for sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot separate “go out” and “for sth”.
Pattern: Subject + go out + for + object (something)
Examples:
- She goes out for coffee every morning.
- We went out for a walk after dinner.
How to Use “Go out for sth”?
Use “go out for sth” when you want to express that someone leaves their current place to do a specific activity or get something. It often implies a short trip or activity outside the home or usual place.
Common uses include social activities (go out for dinner, go out for drinks), exercising (go out for a run), or errands (go out for groceries).
Examples
Imagine you want to explain your plans for the evening. You might say:
- “I’m going out for dinner with friends tonight.”
- “He goes out for a jog every morning before work.”
- “We went out for some fresh air during the break.”
- “She often goes out for coffee after meetings.”
- “They decided to go out for drinks after the game.”
These sentences clearly show “go out for sth” in a sentence, indicating leaving to do an activity.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “go out for sth” with other phrases. Here are common mistakes and corrections:
- Incorrect: I go out something for dinner.
Correct: I go out for dinner. - Incorrect: She goes for out a walk.
Correct: She goes out for a walk. - Incorrect: We go out to the shop for buy milk.
Correct: We go out for milk. / We go out to buy milk.
Remember, “go out for” must be followed by the thing you are going out to do or get, not separated or rearranged.
Differences / Synonyms
“Go out for sth” is similar to phrases like “go for sth” or “go out to do sth,” but there are differences.
- Go for sth: Usually means to choose or try to get something, but does not always imply leaving a place.
Example: I’m going for the chocolate cake. - Go out to do sth: Emphasizes the purpose more clearly, often followed by a verb.
Example: I’m going out to buy groceries.
“Go out for sth” often focuses on short activities or outings, while “go for sth” can be more general, and “go out to do sth” highlights the action.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects used with “go out for” and their meanings:
- Go out for dinner: Leave to eat at a restaurant
- Go out for drinks: Leave to have alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages socially
- Go out for a walk: Leave to walk for exercise or relaxation
- Go out for coffee: Leave to drink coffee socially
- Go out for a run: Leave to jog or run for exercise
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of go out for sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “go out for sth”:
Anna: Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?
Ben: Sure! Where do you want to go?
Anna: Maybe that new Italian place downtown.
Ben: Sounds great. I love going out for dinner there.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) I go out for a movie every weekend.
- B) I go out a movie for every weekend.
- C) I go for out a movie every weekend.
Correct answer: A) I go out for a movie every weekend.
Fill in the blank:
We usually ________ for coffee after work.
- go out for
- go for out
- go out to
Correct answer: go out for
FAQs
- Q: Can “go out for sth” be used for errands?
A: Yes, you can say “go out for groceries” or similar errands. - Q: Is “go out for” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable and must stay together before the object. - Q: What level is “go out for sth” suitable for?
A: It’s suitable for beginner to intermediate learners (A2–B2). - Q: Can I say “go out for a movie”?
A: Yes, it is a natural way to say you’re leaving to watch a movie. - Q: What is the difference between “go out for sth” and “go for sth”?
A: “Go out for sth” means leaving to do or get something, while “go for sth” can mean choosing or trying to get it.
