go by — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb3 meanings

1 time passesto describe how time passes, especially when it seems to move quickly or slowly.
2 be guided byto use something, such as information or rules, to make a decision or form an opinion.
3 use as identityto be known or called by a particular name or alias, especially one that is different from your official or original name.

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time passes

B1time/period go byMost common

to describe how time passes, especially when it seems to move quickly or slowly.

The weekend seemed to go by so quickly.

A: Can you believe it's already Friday?
B: I know! This week just went by in a flash.

During the exam, I felt like time was going by much faster than usual.

Common mistake

✗The time goes by so fastly.

✓Time goes by so fast.

'Fast' is already the adverb (not 'fastly'), and 'time' is usually uncountable here (no 'the').

Tell it apart

The weeks just went by.

time passed

I go by my middle name.

am known as

Use 'go by' to talk about how fast or slow time feels, not about people moving.Not the same as 'pass by' (which often means to move past someone or something physically).

Often paired with

go by

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be guided by

B2go by sth

to use something, such as information or rules, to make a decision or form an opinion.

I usually go by the instructions when assembling furniture.

A: How do you decide which route to take?
B: I just go by the GPS.

When making important decisions, I prefer to go by facts rather than opinions.

Common mistake

✗Don't go with first impressions.

✓Don't go by first impressions.

'Go BY' = judge/decide from. 'Go with' = choose. Different verbs.

Tell it apart

Don't go by the price alone.

judge from it

Three weeks went by.

time passed

Use 'go by' when you rely on something (like a rule or advice) to decide what to do.Different from 'go with', which means to choose or select something.

Often paired with

go by + guide

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use as identity

C1go by name/alias

to be known or called by a particular name or alias, especially one that is different from your official or original name.

Although her full name is Alexandra, she goes by Alex at work.

A: Is 'Sam' short for something?
B: Yeah, my real name is Samantha, but I go by Sam.

In many cultures, individuals may go by a nickname or a shortened version of their name in professional or social settings.

Common mistake

✗She goes by with the name Liz.

✓She goes by Liz.

'Go by + name' directly — no 'with the name'.

Tell it apart

He goes by his nickname.

is known as

We should go by the schedule.

follow it

'Go by' in this sense is used when someone is known by a name that is not necessarily their legal or full name. It is common in introductions, informal contexts, or when referring to stage names, nicknames, or pseudonyms.This sense is different from 'go by' meaning 'be guided by' (to use information/rules to decide) and 'time passes'. Here, it refers to the name someone uses or is known by, not to decision-making or the passage of time.

Often paired with

go by + name

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time passes be guided by use as identity