Usage note : go

As an intransitive verb

go as a simple intransitive verb is translated by aller :

we’re going to Paris

= nous allons à Paris

where are you going?

= où vas-tu?

Sasha went to London last week

= Sasha est allée à Londres la semaine dernière

Note that aller conjugates with être in compound tenses. For the conjugation of aller see the French verb tables. For more examples and particular usages see the entry go. The verb go produces a great many phrasal verbs in English (go up, go down, go out, go back etc.). Many of these are translated by a single verb in French (monter, descendre, sortir, retourner etc.). The phrasal verbs are listed separately at the end of the entry go.

As an auxiliary verb

When go is used as an auxiliary to show intention, it is also translated by aller :

I’m going to buy a car tomorrow

= je vais acheter une voiture demain

I was going to talk to you about it

= j’allais t’en parler

he’s not going to ask for a rise

= il ne va pas demander d’augmentation

For more examples and particular usages see A23 in the entry go.

For all other uses see the entry go.

Big English-French dictionary. 2003.