difference between \"go for\" and \"go with\" when both mean \"choose\"

16:07 Dec 3, 2018 

I appreciate your explanations and insights. Thank you!

12:17 Nov 28, 2018 

In my British English usage. I'd say "I'll go with XXX" if XXX is an existing status or suggestion. I'd say "I'll go for XXX" if there is an active element to that choice, either because it's a more definite/active choice or involves a risk, or because it's going against what others want to choose. I think that "to go with" is just a shortened form of "to go along with".

11:42 Nov 28, 2018 

In general I agree with Charles about the Br and Am uses of these expressions. I have used both but think "go with" does have more of a sense of agreeing with. But I would never consider "go for " to imply that it's a big or risky decision. I'd use it e.g. in a restaurant when ordering so not too risky I hope! ("I'll go for the steak...etc.=pick/choose) If someone else had ordered steak before me it's possible I'd say, "yes, I'll go with the steak too". I know I have used both but I lived for years in North America so sometimes find myself using terms and expressions from both sides of the pond. The main thing is that both would be understood by all native speakers as meaning "choose".

11:38 Nov 28, 2018 

I have a paper copy of the Collins Cobuild English dictionary (1987), a corpus-based dictionary of British English. Neither of these senses (accept or choose) is listed under "go with"; the former is under "go along with" and the latter under "go for" (1st definition). That corresponds exactly to my own usage. But of course 1987 was over 30 years ago, and things change. British speakers under the age of 35 or so will probably not agree with what I have said.

10:12 Nov 28, 2018 

(PS. I am slightly embarrassed to find that like others before me I've been repeating a reference others have already given. I'm afraid we don't always ready previous contributions as carefully as we should.)

10:09 Nov 28, 2018 

What Amel says about "go for" being used for big or important decisions is interesting to me, because from my point of view this again represents an American perspective. I see the expression "go for it!", implying a bold and decisive step, as an Americanism, now widely used in British English. For me, "go for" doesn't carry the implication that "I am doing something that I might not usually do", but I don't doubt that it does in American English, where "go with" is normal for more mundane situations.

09:53 Nov 28, 2018 

"Go with" in this sense (choose, opt for) is an expression I don't use at all, though of course I recognise and understand it. All my life I have used and heard other British speakers use "go for" in this sense. From my point of view this use of "go with" is American English and its widespread use by British speakers is, in my experience, fairly recent. In fact I only encounter it frequently here on KudoZ, where people nearly always refer to "going with" one translation option or another.

I think I'm not alone:
"As a BE speaker, I would say "go for"."
"To go along with X" is common in BE, and although "to go with" seems to be increasing in popularity its frequency is only small in proportion to "to go for x" "
https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/go-with-vs-go-for.28...

If you use AmE this probably doesn't matter to you, but you may like to note it for information.

I find Amel's subtle distinctions persuasive, though since they don't refer to my own variety of English I can't really say for sure.

(I've edited this post; it's been pointed out to me that "go with" in this sense is listed in many dictionaries. I'm afraid I didn't look very thoroughly or effectively.)

08:35 Nov 28, 2018 

TheFreeDictionary.com has pages of comments about the nuances of "go for" and "go with".

05:07 Nov 28, 2018 

Thank you for providing what is so far the most helpful response!

05:05 Nov 28, 2018 

Yes, I have. In fact, I've already been asked the same exact question and replied "yes" to it earlier in this very discussion. But thank you for bringing the link to my attention one more time.

04:59 Nov 28, 2018 

I think "go for" is often used when making big or risky decisions, like a new job or relationship. Example: I'm not sure about moving across the world, but I'm going to "go for" it...meaning I'm going to seize this opportunity and see how things go regardless of the risk and uncertainty involved. In this example, I would not use "go with."

I would tend to use "go with" for more mundane things, like I'll go with the chicken over the beef (in a restaurant). If I want to convey more enthusiasm, however, I might use "go for" in this circumstance as well...but there is the slight implication that I am doing something that I might not usually do. Like I might be breaking some diet I have, and I'm going to "go for" the beef because I want to splurge tonight. Or maybe it is expensive, and I am conveying that I don't care, even though I usually might.

One might also say "go for" to convey subtle humor...to "act" like they are making a bold or daring move even though it is an everyday choice.

I would tend to stay away from "go for" in formal situations.

This is my perspective as a native speaker of US English.

03:01 Nov 28, 2018 

Have you already seen this discussion?
In American English at least, both can mean "choose," although "go with" is probably more common while to me "go for" also sometimes conveys enthusiasm.
If I made a difficult choice where I didn't like any of the options, I wouldn't likely say "go for."
============
1. "I'll go with X" < "I'll go along with X" an expression used where the speaker has no firm decision in mind: not so much a choice rather a consensus/ easy compromise. e.g. "I will go along with your suggestion because I do not want an argument."

2. "I'll go for X" may be the same construction as "The dog went for the sheep" (head [quickly] in the direction of [often with the intent of securing the object for oneself]) or "He drew his bow and went for the Gold." -> to aim for, etc.: not so much a choice, more a target, an aspiration.

However, both do indicate to the listener what the speaker would be happy with.
"To go along with X" is common in BE, and although "to go with" seems to be increasing in popularity its frequency is only small in proportion to "to go for x"
(https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/go-with-vs-go-for.28...

23:24 Nov 27, 2018 

Yes, I did before posting here.

23:22 Nov 27, 2018 

22:58 Nov 27, 2018 

typo correction: but *not* the other.