Cool MateGo to it vs Start
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Go to it
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Start
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most formal: StartMost common: Start
| Go to it | Start | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡəʊ tə ɪt//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊ tə ɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/stɑːt/","/stɑːts/","/ˈstɑːtɪd/","/ˈstɑːtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/stɑːrt/","/stɑːrts/","/ˈstɑːrtɪd/","/ˈstɑːrtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Start doing something enthusiastically. | To begin something |
| Example | Now that you've got your supplies, it's time to just go to it! | Please start the engine before we leave. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | go to it enthusiastically, go to it immediately, go to it without hesitation, encourage someone to go to it, tell someone to go to it | suddenly, immediately, just, decide to, expect to, hope to, as, by, from, get (somebody/something) started, a good, great, etc. place to start, let’s start, suddenly, immediately, just, decide to, expect to, hope to, as, by, from, get (somebody/something) started, a good, great, etc. place to start, let’s start |
| Antonyms | - | stop, finish, end |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal writing or speeches., Mistakenly thought to mean 'leave', rather than start something., Confused with similar phrases like 'get going'. | Confused with 'begin' — both mean similar things but are used in slightly different contexts., Used as a noun incorrectly — 'start' is mainly a verb., Misplaced in phrasal verbs — it should not be confused with 'start up' in business contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual contexts to encourage someone to begin a task. More suitable among friends than in formal situations. | Use 'start' for beginning actions or events. It's appropriate in both speaking and writing, but in formal contexts, you might use 'initiate' instead. |
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Frequently asked questions: Go to it vs Start
What's the difference between Go to it and Start?
Go to it: Start doing something enthusiastically. Start: To begin something
Which is more formal: Go to it and Start?
Start is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Go to it and Start?
Start is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Go to it: Now that you've got your supplies, it's time to just go to it! Start: Please start the engine before we leave.
Can I use Go to it and Start interchangeably?
Not always. Go to it and Start are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.