"Walk" specifies you are going on foot; "go" just says you are moving, without saying how.
To move on foot. Specifies the mode of transport: your own legs.
I walked to work today because the weather was beautiful.
Let's walk to the restaurant. It's only ten minutes from here.
She walks her dog every morning before breakfast.
To move or travel. Very general — does not say how you get there, only that you are moving from one place to another.
I usually go to work by bus, but sometimes I drive.
Are you going to the party on Saturday?
We went to the beach last weekend and had a great time.
Common mistake
Using "walk" when the mode of transport is not on foot: "I walked to Paris" would be impossible for most people — if you flew, say "I went to Paris". "Walk" fixes the mode as walking, "go" leaves it open. Another point: "go for a walk" = go out walking (recreational activity), not to be confused with simply "walk somewhere" (go somewhere on foot).
Trick to remember it
Walk = specific mode (on foot). Go = unspecified mode. When you know someone went on foot, say "she walked". When you do not know or the mode does not matter, say "she went". If someone says "I go to school every day" we do not know if they walk, take the bus, or get a ride. If they say "I walk to school", we know exactly how.
Quick rule
Walk = go on foot (specific mode). Go = travel in any way (mode not specified).
Did you know?
The average adult walks about 7,500 steps a day, adding up to approximately 177,000 km over a lifetime — enough to circle the Earth four times. And although "walk" and "go" seem simple, "go" is the most irregular verb in English: present "go", past "went" (which comes from a completely different verb: "wend"), past participle "gone". "Went" and "go" share no etymological root.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
How did you get here? — I _____ from the hotel. It only took fifteen minutes.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
We _____ to the museum on Sunday and it was amazing.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Walk = go on foot (specific mode). Go = travel in any way (mode not specified).
Using "walk" when the mode of transport is not on foot: "I walked to Paris" would be impossible for most people — if you flew, say "I went to Paris". "Walk" fixes the mode as walking, "go" leaves it open. Another point: "go for a walk" = go out walking (recreational activity), not to be confused with simply "walk somewhere" (go somewhere on foot).
Walk = specific mode (on foot). Go = unspecified mode. When you know someone went on foot, say "she walked". When you do not know or the mode does not matter, say "she went". If someone says "I go to school every day" we do not know if they walk, take the bus, or get a ride. If they say "I walk to school", we know exactly how.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy