phrasal verb · neutral

go by

UK/ɡəʊ baɪ/US/ɡoʊ baɪ/go·BY

speakingtask2

pass (time); judge or act according to something (go by something)

Examples

As the years go by, technology improves.

You shouldn't go by what you see online alone.

If we go by the reports, the project is on track.

Band 8 sentence

You can go by the official data when writing your introduction, but remember to check other sources.

Collocations

  • as time goes by
  • go by the rules
  • go by appearances

Word family

goes by verb (3rd singular)went by verb (past)going by verb (gerund)

Common mistakes

translate 'go by' as 'đi qua' mỗi khi gặp từ nàydùng 'trôi qua' khi nói về thời gian; 'dựa vào' khi nói 'go by the evidence'

say 'I will go by 5pm' khi muốn nói 'I will pass by/visit at 5pm' (lẫn lộn 'go by' và 'stop by')I will stop by at 5pm / I will pass by at 5pm

Say it for a higher band

5pass by6rely on7+go by

Synonyms

pass

judge by

Easily confused

pass by

Opportunities sometimes pass by if you hesitate.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In go …

Learn it with its set