Go laughing: Be happy now and go laughing

[John]

Hi,
Can we say;

"Be happy now and go laughing"

What is go laughing or go crying or go running?"

Regards

John

[Jamie (K)]

[Mister Micawber]

.
The go + -ing form normally requires a verb with some distinct element of motion, John. We can go swimming/running/dancing/skiing/shopping etc, but we cannot go eating/sitting/laughing/thinking/writing etc.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[John]

Dear Alan/ Conchita/ Amy

Please Give Your Opinions About (Go Laughing Go Weeping)
I Am Terribly Baffled

Please Help Me Solve This Confusion
Mr.Jamie And Mr. Micawber Seem To Have Different Opinions

Waiting Waiting And Waiting

John

[Yankee]

Hi John

I think Mr. Micawber's opinion is the same as Jamie's.

Normally you cannot say "go laughing" or "go crying" or "go weeping". Mr. Micawber gave you the basic rule for when you can and cannot say "go + verb-ing". Jamie described a very special exception to that rule (where the sentence would describe what you're doing at the same time as when you leave a place). Jamie told you what your specific examples mean.

Your example sentence was "Be happy now and go laughing". What exactly do you want to say? Do you want to tell a sad person to cheer up and start laughing?

Possible alternatives:
- start laughing
- have a laugh
- put a smile on your face

In what context would you want to use "go weeping"? What exactly do you want to say?

Usually "go + verb-ing" is used when you go to a place (i.e. outside of your house) and actively do something. This is very often a sport and normally cannot be done in your house:

- Go to the beach and swim (go swimming).
- Go to a mountain and ski (go skiing).
- Go outside to the street and jog (go jogging).
- Go to the supermarket and shop (go shopping).

Does that help?

Amy

[john]

dear amy
thanks a lot-yes it did help a lot...

but you wrote: "normally you cannot say "go laughing" or "go crying" or "go weeping"."

why do you use the word "normally"? isn't it spicifically incorrect? and what about written english...?i mean with a comma?

he came in, crying------------she went away, laughing.

we left them laughing (by the way who was laughing? they or we?)

thanks a lot
john

[Yankee]