In the listening lesson “What’s So Special About May 24th?” I said:

This is a rhetorical question. It’s a question that does not need an answer. It’s actually a statement!

I was actually saying:

Beer goes great with a barbecue on a beautiful summer day.

To understand this sentence structure better, let’s take a look at the different parts.

To go with
To go with is a phrasal verb that means ‘to match’ or ‘to suit.’ This phrasal verb is often used to talk about food or physical appearance, so it could also mean ‘to look good with’ or ‘to taste good with.’

Black shoes go with anything.
= Black shoes match any colour of clothing.

What wine goes with what fish?
= What wine tastes good with fish?

What side dish goes with sausage?
= What side dish [vegetables, salad, rice, etc.] tastes great with sausage?

The blue chair doesn’t really go with the rest of the furniture in the room.
= The blue chair doesn’t match the rest of the furniture in the room.

Those red shoes don’t really go with your outfit.
= Those red shoes don’t match your outfit.

This goes better than that …
*When you use better with go with, you’re saying that one choice is better than another.

What goes better with cheese – wine or beer?
~ Wine goes better with cheese than beer.

I like your new hair colour! It goes better with your complexion [than your previous hair colour].

What goes better with skinny jeans – sandals or runners?

I think the white drapes go better with the furniture than the pink drapes.

The black purse goes better with your outfit [than the other purse].

Why did I ask a question that doesn’t need an answer?

I chose to use a rhetorical question for emphasis. I wanted to emphasize that many people think this is a great way to spend a beautiful summer day. It sounded more exciting in the form of a question.

What goes great with a barbecue on a beautiful summer day? Beer!

Beer goes good with a barbecue on a beautiful summer day.

Both those sentences are correct, but not very exciting.

What goes better with a barbecue on a beautiful summer day than beer?!

I answered my own question: Nothing goes better with a barbecue on a beautiful summer day than beer!

You can try this structure with different ideas:

What goes better with red lipstick than a black dress?

What goes better with cheese than wine?

What goes better with a beautiful house than a beautiful car?!