The phrase "went and see" is a colloquialism commonly heard in American English. The correct spelling is actually "went to see." The /t/ sound in "to" is often elided in casual speech, creating the illusion of "and" between "went" and "see." In IPA phonetic transcription, the correct pronunciation of "went to see" would be /wɛnt tu si/. It's important to remember that while colloquialisms are widely used, they may not always reflect proper grammar and spelling.
"Went and see" is a colloquial expression in English used to describe an action of going to observe or visit something or someone. The phrase is often employed to emphasize the spontaneity or immediacy of an action, indicating that someone took the initiative to physically go and experience something firsthand.
The phrase typically consists of the past tense of the verb "go" (went) followed by the conjunction "and" and the infinitive form of the verb "see." This construction implies that the individual in question not only went to a specific location but also actively engaged in the act of seeing, observing, or experiencing something while being present.
Moreover, "went and see" often implies an element of personal interest or curiosity in the subject. It suggests that the individual made the effort to physically go and witness something that may have piqued their curiosity or caught their attention.
The phrase is commonly used in informal or spoken contexts, where it adds a sense of informality and immediacy to the statement. For example, one might say, "I heard there was a new exhibition at the museum, so I went and saw it for myself." Here, "went and see" emphasizes the speaker's personal initiative in actively visiting the exhibition.
Overall, "went and see" encapsulates the notion of physically going to see something or someone, often driven by personal interest or curiosity, and conveys a sense of unmediated experience or firsthand observation.