go on
HighInformal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To continue doing something; to proceed, especially after a pause.
Used to encourage someone; to happen or take place; to talk at length; to be guided by or rely on something; to begin functioning (of a machine or light).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A versatile phrasal verb whose meaning is heavily context-dependent. As an imperative, it can express encouragement, disbelief, or a request for someone to speak. It can describe the continuation of an action, state, or event.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight preference in British English for using 'go on' as an exclamation of encouragement ('Go on! Have another biscuit.') and in the sense of 'rely on' ('We have her testimony to go on.'). Both are understood in AmE but may be slightly less frequent.
Connotations
The imperative 'Go on!' can sound slightly more informal and colloquial in American English. The sense 'to happen' ('What's going on?') is equally common and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both dialects. The basic meanings are core vocabulary.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
go on (intransitive)go on [doing something]go on [a noun]go on to [do something]go on about [something/someone]go on with [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go on a bender”
- “go on the offensive”
- “go on the rampage”
- “go on the wagon”
- “go on a wild goose chase”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The meeting will go on as scheduled despite the technical issues.
Academic
The researcher went on to publish several groundbreaking papers on the topic.
Everyday
The party went on until three in the morning.
Technical
The backup generator should go on automatically if the main power fails.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please go on, I'm listening.
- The lights went on at dusk.
- He does go on about football sometimes.
American English
- Go on, try it—you'll like it!
- What's going on here?
- She went on to become CEO.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please go on. Tell me more.
- The film goes on for two hours.
- Go on! You can do it!
- She went on talking for another ten minutes.
- He went on to explain the rules.
- What is going on in the next room?
- Despite the noise, the lecturer went on with her presentation.
- We have very little evidence to go on.
- After university, he went on to study law.
- The committee decided to go on the findings of the initial report.
- The dispute went on interminably, exhausting all parties.
- She's always going on about social justice, and rightly so.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a traffic light turning green - you 'GO ON' your journey.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE/ACTION IS A JOURNEY (to go on with one's life). TIME/EVENTS ARE MOVING ENTITIES (The show must go on).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить буквально как 'идти на'.
- Смысл 'продолжать' (go on working) ≠ 'продолжать путь'.
- Фраза 'Go on!' как поощрение ≠ 'Иди дальше!', а 'Давай!', 'Смелей!'.
- Значение 'случаться' (What's going on?) ≠ 'Что идёт на?'.
Common Mistakes
- *I go on to work every day. (Incorrect for habitual action; use 'go to work').
- Confusing 'go on doing' (continue the same activity) with 'go on to do' (proceed to a new activity).
- Using 'go on' transitively without a preposition: *He went on his story. (Correct: He went on *with* his story / He went on *about* his holiday).
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'He went on to win the championship,' what does 'went on' imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Go on doing' means to continue the same activity. 'Go on to do' means to proceed to a new or subsequent activity.
No, context is key. 'Go on!' can be encouragement ('Go on, ask her!'), an expression of disbelief ('Go on, you're joking!'), or a prompt to speak ('Go on, I'm listening.').
Yes, especially for lights, engines, or electrical devices. E.g., 'The heating goes on at 7 AM.'
It is neutral and extremely common in everyday speech. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'occurring' or 'happening' might be preferred.