Which one is correct?
"went off" or "gone off"?

Question

Which one is correct?
"went off" or "gone off"?

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Use 'went off' when talking about an event that happened in the past. For example, 'The alarm went off at 6 a.m.'

Examples:

The fireworks went off with a bang.
The party went off without a hitch.
The alarm went off in the middle of the night.
The car alarm went off unexpectedly.
The bomb went off in a crowded market.

Alternatives:

exploded
detonated
activated
sounded
occurred

Use 'gone off' when describing food that has spoiled or when something has deteriorated. For example, 'The milk has gone off.'

Examples:

The milk has gone off and smells bad.
The fruit has gone off and is no longer edible.
The meat has gone off in the fridge.
The cheese has gone off and needs to be thrown away.
The wine has gone off after being open for too long.

Alternatives:

spoiled
rotten
turned bad
gone bad
become inedible

Both 'went off' and 'gone off' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Went off' is the past tense of 'go off' and is used when referring to an event that happened in the past. 'Gone off' is the past participle of 'go off' and is used when something has spoiled or deteriorated.

Last Updated: March 26, 2024