I went on doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I went on doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone continued to perform an action over a period of time. Example: "Despite the distractions, I went on doing my work until it was finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And I went on doing research on this during my time at the Grad School.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I went on, did one joke from my set, and said: "Right, Melbourne, got any issues?" I wanted to improvise.

The Guardian

And I go on doing that".

The Guardian - Books

The longer I go on doing it, the more I have to say and do.

The Guardian - Arts

"I said thanks, and went on doing what I was doing," he said.

The New York Times

I live in a bubble, and I wish I could go on doing so.

The New York Times

One afternoon, at the writing workshop in Gómez Palacio, a boy asked me why I wrote poetry and how long I thought I would go on doing it.

The New Yorker

He went on, "Did I waste my time doing it?

The New Yorker

He went on, "Do I find public speaking difficult?

The New Yorker

He went on, "Do I think about who he was as a person?

The New Yorker

"I do that and I'll go on doing that.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I went on doing" to clearly indicate that you continued an action, especially when you want to emphasize the duration or persistence of that action. It works well in narratives and personal accounts.

Common error

In very formal or academic writing, consider using more concise alternatives like "I continued to do" or "I proceeded with" to maintain a professional tone. Overusing "I went on doing" can make your writing sound repetitive or less sophisticated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I went on doing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of an action. It consists of the past tense of "go on" followed by a gerund, illustrating an ongoing process, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I went on doing" is a grammatically sound way to express the continuation of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not the most frequent phrase, it's common enough to be recognized and understood across various contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media and academic writings. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "I continued to do" or "I persisted in doing". Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of an activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I continued to do

Focuses on the continuation of an action without necessarily implying a previous interruption.

I kept doing

Suggests persistence and repetition of an action.

I carried on doing

Indicates a continuation despite potential difficulties or obstacles.

I proceeded to do

Implies a more formal and deliberate continuation of an action, often after a pause or decision.

I went ahead doing

Emphasizes moving forward with an action, possibly implying initiative.

I didn't stop doing

Highlights the lack of interruption of a task.

I resumed doing

Highlights the act of starting an action again after it was stopped.

I persisted in doing

Emphasizes determination and continued effort in the face of challenges.

I diligently did

Emphasizes care and thoroughness while performing the task.

I regularly did

Emphasizes frequency and consistency in the task performing.

FAQs

What does "I went on doing" mean?

The phrase "I went on doing" means that someone continued performing an action. It implies that the action was in progress and then continued without stopping.

What are some alternatives to "I went on doing"?

You can use alternatives like "I continued to do", "I kept doing", or "I proceeded to do" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I went on doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I went on doing" is grammatically correct. It is a common and acceptable way to express the continuation of an action. The expression is usable in written English, according to Ludwig AI.

In what contexts is it best to use "I went on doing"?

It's suitable for informal and narrative contexts. In formal or academic writing, consider more concise alternatives such as "I continued to do".