Go toilet vs Go to the toilet

This is a very interesting one.

“Go toilet” or “go to the toilet”?

The answer to this question might surprise you.

To learn more, read on.

 

 

Go toilet vs Go to the toilet

There are many expressions you can use to say that you need to leave a place and use the toilet or bathroom.

“Going” is the most common, simple way of doing that.

But which one is correct? Do you say “go toilet“, or “go to the toilet“?

 

Go toilet

“Go toilet” is possible in English.

No. It is not the best way of putting it. I do not encourage you to use that.

In theory, “go toilet” is grammatically incorrect.

But it is possible and can sometimes be heard.

Most commonly it is used by young children and is something of a slang expression.

Adults too can say that, but you are very unlikely to hear it in real life.

This is because using the toilet has a long list of euphemisms that are commonly used, and “go toilet” is at the bottom of that list.

In other words, do not say it unless you are a small child.

 

Go to the toilet

The correct, standard way of voicing a wish to use the bathroom is “go to the toilet“.

This is because when we move or travel towards a particular place, we often say that we go to that place.

(The only exception to that rule is “go home“.)

Here are some examples.

Go to work. Go to a shop. Go to a cinema. Go to a park. Go to a party. Go to Spain/Germany/Italy etc. Go to London/Las Vegas/Rome etc.

The same construction should be used with the word “toilet“.

Go toilet. Go to the toilet.

 

Summary

• “Go toilet” is incorrect, but is sometimes used by small children,
• “Go to the toilet” is the correct way of saying that you want to use the bathroom.