Cool MateExperiment vs Have a go
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Experiment
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Have a go
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: ExperimentMost common: Experiment
| Experiment | Have a go | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈsperɪmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈsperɪmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hæv ə ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //hæv ə ɡoʊ// |
| Meaning | A test to find out something new. | Try something |
| Example | The scientist conducted an experiment to test her hypothesis. | You should **have a go** at painting; it’s really fun! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | animal, field, laboratory, carry out, conduct, do, confirm something, demonstrate something, find something, by experiment, during an/the experiment, in an/the experiment, animal, field, laboratory, carry out, conduct, do, confirm something, demonstrate something, find something, by experiment, during an/the experiment, in an/the experiment | have a go at something, have a go at doing something, let's have a go, give it a go, have a go together |
| Antonyms | certainty, fact | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'experience' which refers to knowledge gained over time., Using 'experiments' as a verb instead of the noun form., Saying 'experimenting of' instead of 'experimenting with'. | Using 'have a go' without 'at' incorrectly., Confusing it with 'have a try', which is similar but less common., Incorrect verb forms after 'go', e.g., saying 'have a go to swim'. |
| Usage notes | Used in scientific contexts but can also refer to trying new ideas in everyday life. More formal in academic writing. | Used in casual conversations when encouraging someone to try an activity. Less formal than 'attempt'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Experiment vs Have a go
What's the difference between Experiment and Have a go?
Experiment: A test to find out something new. Have a go: Try something
Which is more formal: Experiment and Have a go?
Experiment is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Experiment and Have a go?
Experiment is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Experiment: The scientist conducted an experiment to test her hypothesis. Have a go: You should **have a go** at painting; it’s really fun!
Can I use Experiment and Have a go interchangeably?
Not always. Experiment and Have a go 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.