ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go on to

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to do something else after you have finished a previous task or activity.

phr. v.. to proceed to a subsequent action or stage after completing a prior one; often used to describe a progression in a career or a sequence of events.


SIMPLE

After university, she went on to become a doctor.

CONTEXTUAL

The presenter finished the introduction and went on to explain the main findings of the study.

COMPLEX

Having established himself as a successful novelist, he went on to direct several award-winning films that explored similar themes of isolation.

Particles
on to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
go + on + to + verb
Usage

usually followed by a to-infinitive to show a change in activity.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'go on doing' (continuing the same action) versus 'go on to do' (starting a new, subsequent action).

Pitfall

He went on to talking about the budget.He went on to talk about the budget.when 'go on to' means 'to do the next thing', it must be followed by the infinitive, not the -ing form.

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