# go on

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/go-on
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to continue doing something or to happen.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He went on talk for hours." but "He went on talking for hours." — when 'go on' means to continue an activity, it must be followed by a gerund or 'with + noun'.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.