I've also notice how the negative versions have a different meaning for "go." I think in your examples there is a highly subjective (modal) nature to the interpretation. The feelings of the person making the statement are more prominent than the objective meaning of the gerund. The request in "don't go" seems to be "don't enter into that mode of behavior, which I disapprove of." So we seem to have a habituative at the objective level and pejorative at the subjective level. The term "aspect" has been used in several ways, so it is hard to say how it might enter in.
I wonder whether we could follow the classification of verbs by semantic
groups set up by Biber, et al in the Longman Grammar of Spoken & Written
English in understanding structures like "go camping." According to Biber
et al's classification, "go VERBing" would fit best under "aspectual
verbs" along with "start, keep, stop, begin, continue."
Although Johanna has shared some verb phrases that go beyond the
"recreational" ones that Martha pointed to, we would still have to admit
that "go VERBing" has a narrower application than the other verbs of the
aspectual class. However, if we negate the VP, then the range seems to
expand:
"Don't go leaving your socks all over the room."
"Don't go playing with those boys anymore." (activity verbs)
"Don't go asking for more money." (communication verbs)
"Don't go supposing I will step in and help again." (mental verbs)
R. Michael Medley, Ph.D.
Intensive English Program/TESL program
Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
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