English Reference

Phrasal verb

go on

Definition

phrasal verb. to continue doing something or to happen.

phrasal verb. to continue an action or state; to occur or take place. Often used as a continuative aspectual marker or to describe events in progress.

Examples

“Please go on with your story.”

“The meeting went on for three hours because there were so many problems to discuss.”

“While the investigation into the financial discrepancy was going on, the CEO refused to make any public statements regarding the company's future.”

Examples

simple

“Please go on with your story.”

contextual

“The meeting went on for three hours because there were so many problems to discuss.”

complex

“While the investigation into the financial discrepancy was going on, the CEO refused to make any public statements regarding the company's future.”

Usage

often followed by 'with' plus a noun or by a gerund (verb + -ing).

Teaching tip

contrast with 'keep on' (which emphasizes repetition) and 'continue' (which is more formal); use 'What's going on?' to teach the 'happen' sense.

Pitfall

He went on talk for hours.

He went on talking for hours.

when 'go on' means to continue an activity, it must be followed by a gerund or 'with + noun'.

Etymology

Structurally equivalent to go onward.

Structurally equivalent to go upon.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Phrasal verb

Particles

on

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

go + on

Synonyms

happenproceedlastcontinue

Antonyms

stopceasefinish

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference