go ahead — proceed
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcore
to start doing something or continue after getting permission or deciding it’s okay.
Say it like a native
Textbook You have my permission to commence.
Native Go ahead.
Granting permission, natives just say 'go ahead'. 'You have my permission to commence' is stilted.
Pattern: go ahead (with something) | go ahead and do something
In use
- If you’re ready, you can go ahead and start the presentation.daily life
- During the exam, the teacher told us to go ahead and open our papers.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Can I start? — Yes, go ahead to start.
✓ Can I start? — Yes, go ahead.
'Go ahead' stands alone as permission. Don't add 'to + verb'.
Common collocations
go ahead (and)— and ask, and start, and book it, and try
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'go on', which can mean to continue talking.
Related
- go ahead (happen as planned) — Another meaning of 'go ahead' is 'happen as planned'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.