Shadowing Practice: Go On, Go Through, Go Ahead & Go For It - Speak English Naturally | Speaking Practice - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hello, everyone.
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Welcome back to Business English Desk.
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I'm Laura.
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And I'm Jamie.
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And, okay, I have to tell you something.
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What happened?
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So, this morning, before we even started recording, I counted how many times I used today's phrasal verbs.
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Just this morning.
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Just this morning.
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Before 10 a.m.
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Okay.
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How many?
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Seven times.
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Seven.
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Seven times.
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Without even trying.
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That tells you everything.
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Everything.
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These phrases are not textbook phrases.
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These are wake up, make coffee, talk to people phrases.
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Exactly that.
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So today, we are diving into four go phrasal verbs.
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Ooh, the go family.
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Yes.
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Today we have go on, go through, go ahead, and go for it.
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Four expressions, tons of meanings.
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Real life situations.
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Real conversations.
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The kind you'll actually have. At work. At home. With friends.
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Everywhere.
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And if you're new here, hi, welcome to the family.
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Hit subscribe.
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Yeah, seriously, do that.
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We drop new episodes every week.
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And we make English feel like hanging out with friends.
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Not sitting in a classroom.
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Never a classroom.
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We really commit to that.
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100%.
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Okay, are we ready? So ready.
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Let's go.
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Let's go on.
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Oh, already starting.
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Couldn't help it.
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Okay.
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First one, go on.
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Hmm.
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This one feels familiar.
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It should, because you hear it every single day.
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Okay.
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First meaning?
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So, go on.
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First meaning is to continue, to keep doing something.
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Like, don't stop, keep going.
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Exactly.
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Go on.
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I'm listening.
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Oh, that's so natural.
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Right?
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Someone is telling you a story, and you want them to keep going.
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You say, go on.
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Simple.
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Encouraging.
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Very encouraging.
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Or in a meeting, please go on.
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We're all listening.
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That sounds so professional. So smooth.
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Like you're genuinely interested.
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Which hopefully you are.
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Hopefully.
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And you can also say, she went on talking for 20 minutes.
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Meaning she kept talking.
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Didn't stop.
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Right.
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She continued.
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We've all been in that meeting.
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We have all been in that meeting.
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Okay, next meaning.
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So, go on also means to happen.
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Like, what's going on?
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Oh, that phrase.
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Yes.
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One of the most common phrases in English.
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What's going on?
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Meaning, what is happening right now?
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Tell me the situation.
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Exactly.
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Or something strange is going on.
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Meaning something is happening and I don't fully understand it.
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Right.
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There's a situation.
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There's something developing.
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You'll hear this in offices constantly.
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Constantly.
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What's going on with the project?
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What's going on between those two?
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Also very common in every workplace.
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In every workplace.
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And meaning three, go on, can mean to go somewhere, to travel or move ahead.
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Like going somewhere before someone else?
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Exactly.
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You go on ahead, I'll catch up.
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Meaning, you leave first, I'll follow later.
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Right.
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Very casual, very natural.
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Go on without me!
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Very dramatic.
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Very movie.
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But people actually say it.
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They do, just less dramatically, usually.
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Usually.
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And one more meaning.
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Go on, when said with a certain tone, means, come on, I dare you, or I'm encouraging you.
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Oh, like playful pressure.
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Yes.
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Go on, try it.
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You'll love it.
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Meaning, just do it.
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Stop hesitating.
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Right.
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Very friendly.
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Very warm.
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Like a friend pushing you gently.
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Exactly.
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Go on, ask him.
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Classic.
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Very classic.
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You'll use this one constantly with friends.
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So, go on equals...
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Continue doing something.
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Something is happening.
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Moving ahead of someone.
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And encouraging someone playfully.
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All four.
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Busy little phrase. So busy.
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Okay, part two.
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Go through.
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Hmm, okay, this one has some real weight to it.
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What do you mean?
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Some meanings are very practical, but some are really emotional.
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Oh, okay.
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So first meaning, go through, means to experience something difficult.
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Like a hard time?
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Yes.
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She's going through a really tough period right now.
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Quietly.
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Meaning she's experiencing something hard.
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Right.
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She's in the middle of it, and you can't rush it.
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That phrase is so human.
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It really is.
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Or, he went through a lot last year.
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Meaning he faced a lot.
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He dealt with a lot.
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Right.
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And saying this about someone, it shows empathy.
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It really does.
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I know you're going through something difficult.
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I'm here if you need anything.
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Warmly.
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That's such a kind thing to say.
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And it sounds natural.
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Not stiff, not formal.
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Just human.
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Just human.
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Okay.
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Meaning to go through also means to look at something or examine something carefully.
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Like reviewing something?
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Exactly.
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Let me go through the report before the meeting.
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Meaning I'll read it carefully.
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Check every detail.
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Right.
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She went through all the files one by one.
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Methodical.
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Thorough.
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Very thorough.
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And this is incredibly useful at work.
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Like, can we go through the contract together?
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Yes.
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Perfect professional sentence.
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Let's go through this step by step.
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That's a great meeting phrase.
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Amazing meeting phrase.
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Sounds organized, sounds in control.
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Like you know what you're doing.
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Especially then.
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Meaning three, go through something means to use it all up.
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Like consuming something?
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Yes.
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We went through the entire budget in two weeks.
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Ooh, that's not great.
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Not ideal.
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Or she goes through coffee so fast.
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Relatable.
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Very relatable.
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The team went through the supplies faster than expected.
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Meaning?
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Everything got used up.
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Right.
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Consumed.
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Gone.
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Faster than planned.
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Always faster than planned.
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Always.
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And last meaning for go through, go through as in something is approved or accepted.
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Oh, like a deal going through?
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Yes, the contract finally went through.
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Meaning, it was approved, it's done.
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Right, it cleared all the stages.
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Did the payment go through?
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Oh, you hear that one all the time.
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All the time, after any transaction.
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Did it go through?
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Yes, it went through.
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Clean, simple.
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Very everyday, very useful.
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So, go through.
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Experience something difficult.
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Examine something carefully.
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Use something up completely.
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And when something gets approved.
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Whew, that was a good section.
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Really good.
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Go through has layers.
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It really does.
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Okay.
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Part three.
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Go ahead.
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Oh, this one is everywhere.
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Everywhere.
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Like, you probably hear this five times a day. At least.
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At least five.
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So, first meaning, go ahead means you have permission.
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You can do the thing.
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Like a green light.
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Exactly a green light.
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Can I start the presentation?
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Go ahead.
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Meaning, yes, do it.
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You have permission.
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Right.
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Simple.
244
Clear.
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Confident.
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And it sounds so natural. So natural.
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Better than just saying, yes, okay.
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Right.
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Go ahead just feels more professional somehow.
250
More decisive.
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Yes.
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Like you're in charge.
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Even if nobody's really in charge.
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Which is often the case.
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Very often.
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And you can use it as a question, too.
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Shall I go ahead with the plan?
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Meaning, should I proceed?
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Do I have approval?
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Right.
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You're checking before you move.
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That's such a good professional habit.
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Really good habit.
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Shall I go ahead and send the email?
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Go ahead.
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Done.
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Clean. So clean.
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Okay.
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Next meaning.
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Go ahead also means to happen as planned, even if there are problems.
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Oh.
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Like the event still happens.
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Yes, the conference will go ahead despite the weather.
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Meaning, it's still happening.
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Nothing is stopping it.
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Right.
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The launch went ahead as scheduled.
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Meaning, it happened on time.
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No delays.
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Exactly.
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And you'll hear this in business news, in announcements, in office emails.
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The merger will go ahead next month.
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Yes, that kind of thing.
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It's reassuring language.
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Right.
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Meaning, this is happening, don't worry.
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Stay the course.
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Stay the course.
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And last meaning, go ahead on its own can also mean you first, after you.
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Oh, like polite gestures?
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Yes, holding a door letting someone speak first.
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Go ahead, you are saying.
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Meaning, please continue.
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I'm not going to interrupt.
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Right.
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Very polite.
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Very considerate.
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You'll hear this in meetings constantly.
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Constantly.
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Two people start talking at the same time.
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And one says, go ahead.
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Go ahead.
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Sorry, you first.
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That's such a graceful thing to say.
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It really is.
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Immediately diffuses any awkwardness.
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No tension.
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None.
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Just smooth.
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So, go ahead equals...
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Giving or receiving permission.
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Something happening as planned.
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And politely letting someone go first.
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Three very usable meanings.
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All three.
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And all very natural.
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Very natural.
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You can start using these today.
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Like, right now.
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In your very next conversation.
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Go ahead.
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See what I did there?
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Perfect.
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Okay, last one.
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And honestly, this might be my favorite.
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Why?
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Because it's pure energy.
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It really is.
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Go for it.
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Just hearing it makes you want to do something.
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It's like a battle cry.
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Kind of.
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In the best way.
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So, go for it.
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First and most common meaning. Do it.
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Try it.
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Don't hold back.
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Like someone is hesitating and you're pushing them forward?
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Exactly.
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Should I apply for the promotion?
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Go for it.
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Meaning yes, absolutely.
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Don't overthink it.
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Right.
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You're giving someone full enthusiastic support.
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It's encouraging.
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It's energizing.
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It makes you feel like you can do anything.
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Which is kind of the point.
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Right.
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Or, I'm thinking about starting my own business.
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Go for it.
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Yes!
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That's such a common exchange.
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Between friends.
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Between colleagues.
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between anyone who wants to see someone succeed.
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Exactly.
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And it works in response to almost any hesitation.
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I'm thinking of asking for a raise.
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Go for it.
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I want to try a new restaurant.
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Go for it.
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I'm thinking of moving to a new city.
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Go for it.
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It works for everything.
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It works for everything.
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It's the ultimate green light phrase.
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Universal encouragement.
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Yes.
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Yes.
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And it's not just what other people say to you.
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Right.
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You can say it to yourself.
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Oh, like a pep talk.
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Yes.
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Okay, I'm nervous.
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But go for it.
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That's powerful.
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It really is.
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Sometimes you need to be your own cheerleader.
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Your own hype person.
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Your own hype person.
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And go for it works there, too.
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Okay, does go for it have other meanings?
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Hmm.
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In slightly different forms, yes.
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Go for, on its own, means to choose something.
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Oh.
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Like making a selection?
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Yes.
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I think I'll go for the pasta.
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Meaning I'll choose the pasta?
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Right.
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At a restaurant.
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Which one are you going for?
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I'm going for the blue one.
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Exactly.
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Very everyday, very casual.
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And in business?
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We're going for a more modern design.
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Meaning that's the direction we're choosing.
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That's the approach.
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That's the decision.
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Right.
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Or they went for a complete rebrand.
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Meaning they chose to do it.
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They committed.
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Fully committed.
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Love it.
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And go for it also works when you're literally reaching for something.
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Oh, like physically?
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Yes.
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She went for the last cookie.
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Relatable.
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Extremely relatable.
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He went for his phone the second it rang.
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Meaning he reached for it quickly.
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Immediately.
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Instinct.
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Yes.
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So go for it.
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The big one, encouragement to try something.
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Choosing or selecting something.
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And physically reaching for something.
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Three great uses.
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And honestly, the first one is the one everyone needs.
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Everyone.
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At every stage of life.
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Just go for it.
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Just go for it.
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Okay, role play.
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Yes.
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Okay, scenario.
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Two friends catching up over the phone.
436
Classic.
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One of them has some big news.
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Ooh, I like this already.
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Ready?
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Ready.
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Hey, how are you?
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What's going on?
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Oh my gosh, I have so much to tell you.
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Go on.
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Okay, so, you know I've been going through a lot lately.
446
I know, I know.
447
How are you feeling now?
448
Better, honestly, and I made a decision.
449
Tell me everything.
450
I'm going for the promotion.
451
No way.
452
I know, I know, but I figured, go for it, right?
453
Yes, go ahead and apply.
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What What are you waiting for?
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I already started going through my resume.
456
Oh, good.
457
Go through it carefully.
458
Every detail.
459
I will.
460
And guess what?
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The application is actually going ahead next week.
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That's so soon.
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I know.
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So I really need to go for it now.
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You've totally got this.
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Go on.
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Believe in yourself.
468
Okay.
469
Okay.
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I will.
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And listeners, did you catch all of them?
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Go on.
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Going through.
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Go for it.
475
Go ahead.
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Go through again.
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Go forward again.
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All in one phone call.
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One very supportive phone call.
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The most supportive.
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And notice, none of them sounded forced.
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None of them sounded like vocabulary practice.
483
They just sounded like a real conversation.
484
Because they are real.
485
That's the goal.
486
Always.
487
Quiz time.
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Let's go.
489
Listeners, fill in the blank.
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Say it out loud if you can.
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Seriously, say it out loud.
492
It makes a difference.
493
Every time.
494
Sentence 1.
495
Can I share my idea?
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Blank.
497
Go ahead.
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Yes, you're giving permission.
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Sentence 2.
500
She's blank a lot since the accident.
501
Going through a lot.
502
She's experiencing something difficult.
503
Sentence 3.
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I've been thinking about quitting my job and traveling the world.
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Blank.
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Go for it.
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Honestly, though.
508
Honestly, though.
509
Encouragement fully meant.
510
Sentence four.
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What's blank in the office lately?
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There's some weird energy.
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Going on.
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Something is happening and you want to know what.
515
Last one.
516
Let me blank the contract one more time before we sign.
517
Go through it.
518
Review it carefully.
519
Yes.
520
Always go through contracts carefully.
521
Life advice from Business English Desk.
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We give it all here.
523
Okay, listeners, how did you do?
524
Tell us in the comments.
525
Drop your score.
526
Five out of five.
527
We want to know.
528
We genuinely want to know.
529
Okay, let's bring it all together.
530
Take a breath.
531
Go on.
532
Continue doing something.
533
Something is happening.
534
Moving ahead of someone.
535
And encouraging someone playfully.
536
Go through.
537
Experience something difficult.
538
Examine something carefully.
539
Use something completely up.
540
And when something gets approved.
541
Go ahead.
542
Giving or receiving permission.
543
Something happening as planned.
544
And politely letting someone go first.
545
And go for it.
546
Encourage someone to try.
547
Choose or select something.
548
And reach for something physically.
549
X, that was a really solid episode.
550
I'm proud of this one.
551
There it is.
552
I can't help it.
553
Same time every episode.
554
Same time every episode.
555
And honestly, she should be proud.
556
Aww.
557
We all should.
558
Okay, stop.
559
You're going to make me emotional.
560
Go for it.
561
Feel it.
562
Stop.
563
Okay, before we let you go.
564
Your challenge.
565
This week.
566
Pick just two.
567
Just two of today's expressions.
568
And use them.
569
In a real conversation.
570
In an email.
571
In a voice message.
572
Even just say them out loud while you're walking somewhere.
573
Repetition is everything.
574
Everything.
575
Your brain needs to hear it.
576
Over and over.
577
Before it feels natural.
578
And then one day it just comes out.
579
Without thinking.
580
And that moment is everything.
581
It's the whole reason we do this.
582
The whole reason.
583
And come back and tell us.
584
Which ones did you use?
585
Drop it in the comments.
586
I used go ahead in a meeting.
587
We will absolutely celebrate you.
588
Full cheer squad.
589
The whole squad.
590
If today helped you at all.
591
Give it a like.
592
It helps the channel grow more than you know.
593
And subscribe if you haven't.
594
We're here every week.
595
Rain or shine.
596
Always here.
597
Share it with someone learning English.
598
Best thing you can do for them.
599
We really mean that.
600
All right, everyone.
601
This has been Business English Desk.
602
I'm Laura.
603
I'm Jamie.
604
And we'll see you next week.
605
Go on.
606
Keep learning.
607
Go ahead and be amazing.
608
Go through every challenge with confidence.
609
And whatever your dream is, go for it.
610
Bye.
611
Bye.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 610 sentences and 2550 words to shadow. The speech runs for 19:42. The speaker talks at a steady 129 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 88% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
- phrase /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/ (noun) — A short written or spoken expression.
- carefully /ˈkɛɹf(ə)li/ (adverb) — With care; attentively, circumspectly.
- encourage /ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/ (verb) — To mentally support; to motivate, give courage, hope or spirit.
- blank /ˈblæŋk/ (noun) — The white spot in the centre of a target; hence (figuratively) the object to which anything is directed or aimed, the range of such aim.
- approve /əˈpɹuːv/ (verb) — To officially sanction; to ratify; to confirm; to set as satisfactory.
- commit /kəˈmɪt/ (verb) — To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; used with to or formerly unto.
- physically /ˈfɪz.ɪ.kli/ (adverb) — In a physical manner.
- examine /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/ (verb) — To observe carefully or critically to learn about someone or something.
- encouragement [ɪnˈkʌɹɪd͡ʒmənt] (noun) — The act of encouraging
- listener /ˈlɪs(ə)nɚ/ (noun) — Someone who listens, especially to a speech or a broadcast.
- everyday /ˈɛvɹiˌdeɪ/ (adjective) — Appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions.
- select /sɪˈlɛkt/ (verb) — To choose one or more elements of a set, especially a set of options.
- lately /ˈleɪt.li/ (adverb) — Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since.
- promotion /pɹəˈmoʊʃn̩/ (noun) — An advancement in rank or position.
- smooth /smuːð/ (adjective) — Having a texture that lacks friction. Not rough.
Phrasal verbs you will hear
- go through (verb) — To travel from one end of something to the other.
- go for (verb) — To try for, to attempt to reach.
- go on /ˈɡoʊˌɒn/ (verb) — To continue in extent.
- go ahead /ˌɡoʊ əˈhɛd/ (verb) — To proceed with; to begin.
- reach for (verb) — To try to get (something) by extending one's arm or moving one's hand.
- think about /ˈθɪŋk əˌbaʊt/ (verb) — To ponder.
- ask for (verb) — To request; to order.
- catch up (verb) — To pick up suddenly.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 57 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you're, you'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: smooth /smuːð/, thorough /ˈθʌɹoʊ/, breathe /bɹiːð/, enthusiastic /ɪnˌθjuːzɪˈæstɪk/, empathy /ˈɛmpəθi/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: promotion /pɹəˈmoʊʃn̩/, casual /ˈkæʒ(u)əl/, rush /ɹʌʃ/, presentation /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/, tension /ˈtɛnʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: encouragement [ɪnˈkʌɹɪd͡ʒmənt], genuinely /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/, universal /ˌjunəˈvɜɹs(ə)l/, incredibly /ɪŋˈkɹɛdɪbli/, enthusiastic /ɪnˌθjuːzɪˈæstɪk/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like phrase, carefully, encourage.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | I've been going · I've been thinking |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is approved · was approved |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | started recording · keep doing · keep going |
| Comparatives -er than / more … than — comparing two things | faster than · Better than |
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.