To do the shopping

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
#1

Hi,

I would like to know if the following sentences are both correct:

  1. I didn’t go shopping yesterday.
  2. I didn’t go TO DO THE shopping yesterday.

Many thanks in advance. Greetings.

Mr Francis

#2

yes

#3

I would however say there is, to British ears, a slight difference. ‘Go shopping’ suggests it would have been for pleasure, whereas ‘to do the shopping’ suggests going to the supermarket or wherever to do the regular weekly shop.

#4

I also have ‘British ears’ and would agree that ‘to do the shopping’ indicates regular grocery shopping, but ‘go shopping’ to me can indicate both types of shopping.