go shopping

Meaning

This phrase means to visit stores or websites to buy goods, clothes, food, or other items. It is a very common activity-based expression that uses the 'go + -ing' grammar pattern. It is used in everyday, neutral contexts.

Examples

• We usually go shopping for groceries on Saturday mornings.

  We usually go shopping for groceries on Saturday mornings.

• I want to go shopping for some new clothes this weekend.

  I want to go shopping for some new clothes this weekend.

• She loves to go shopping when there are big sales at the mall.

  She loves to go shopping when there are big sales at the mall.

• They decided to go shopping online instead of visiting the crowded stores.

  They decided to go shopping online instead of visiting the crowded stores.

• Let's go shopping for a birthday present for Sarah.

  Let's go shopping for a birthday present for Sarah.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will go to shopping tomorrow.

  ✓ I will go shopping tomorrow.

  In the 'go + -ing' pattern (like go swimming, go running), we do not use the preposition 'to' before the gerund.

• ✗ She wants to make shopping for a dress.

  ✓ She wants to go shopping for a dress.

  The activity of buying things is expressed with 'go shopping' or 'do the shopping', but never 'make shopping'.

• ✗ We went for shopping yesterday.

  ✓ We went shopping yesterday.

  Do not use 'for' directly before 'shopping' when using the verb 'go'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I need to ___ because my fridge is completely empty.

  💡 Visit stores to buy food.

  Show answer

  go shopping

• They ___ for a new car last weekend but didn't buy anything.

  💡 Use the past tense of 'go'.

  Show answer

  went shopping