Meaning trap
go out
stop burning or working
To stop burning, shining, or working, especially for lights or fires.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To stop burning, shining, or working, especially for lights or fires.
Another meaning of 'go out' is 'leave home socially'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The candle went out because of the wind.daily life
- During the interview, the power went out for a few minutes, which made everyone a bit nervous.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: go out
WrongThe candle went off.
RightThe candle went out.
For flames or lights stopping, use 'go out' (not 'go off', which is for alarms and explosions).
Patterngo out
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
For a fire or light dying on its own, natives say 'go out'. 'Was extinguished' implies someone put it out.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
go outthe lightsthe firethe candlethe pilot light
Don't confuse it
'Go out' is used when something stops working on its own; 'turn off' is used when a person stops it.
Related
- go out (leave home socially) — Another meaning of 'go out' is 'leave home socially'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.