a lot of going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot of going" is not correct and sounds awkward in written English.
It may be intended to express a significant amount of activity or movement, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "There was a lot of going on at the festival, making it hard to keep track of everything."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There's a lot of going out and finding new talent.

The Guardian - Tech

I do a lot of going back and forth.

The New York Times

There is a lot of going between each other's embassies that takes place".

The Guardian

A lot of pacing, a lot of going to the bathroom.

The Guardian

That's quite a lot of going on at the same time as our midday meeting for tomorrow's paper.

The Guardian

I remember a lot of going: "Yeah, yeah!" but then thinking: "Oh God, we've got all this work to do".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"A lot of work goes into every change we make".

The New York Times - Tech

"A lot of work went into this.

BBC

A lot of work went into that.

BBC

A lot of work goes into them.

Forbes

"We didn't have a lot of go-forward, we struggled with the ball going forward".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger, more descriptive nouns to convey the intended meaning more effectively (e.g., "a lot of activity", "considerable movement").

Common error

Avoid using "a lot of going" without specifying the direction or purpose of the action. This omission can lead to ambiguity. Instead, provide context: "a lot of going to the store", or "a lot of going back and forth".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of going" functions as a nominal phrase, often requiring further context to clarify the action being described. Ludwig suggests that it may be awkward and recommends using clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a lot of going" is commonly used and understood, it's often grammatically awkward and may lack clarity without additional context. Ludwig AI points out that the phrase needs clarification, typically through prepositions or auxiliary verbs, to specify the type of activity or movement involved. While frequently found in News & Media, more precise and descriptive alternatives are often preferable, especially in formal writing. Considering alternatives such as "frequent activity", "substantial movement", or specifying the action itself (e.g., "a lot of travel") can improve the overall effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plenty of coming and going

Describes the continuous movement of people entering and leaving a place.

frequent activity

Emphasizes the occurrence of many actions rather than the act of going specifically.

constant motion

Highlights the continuous state of being in movement.

considerable movement

Highlights the extent of physical motion or change.

significant action

Focuses on the importance or impact of the activity taking place.

busy with activity

Expresses a state of being occupied with various tasks or actions.

much travel

Specifically refers to the act of traveling extensively.

a great deal of commuting

Highlights the act of traveling regularly between home and work or school.

substantial traffic

Refers to a large amount of vehicles or people moving through an area.

extensive back-and-forth

Emphasizes repeated movement in opposite directions.

FAQs

What does "a lot of going on" mean?

The phrase "a lot of going on" typically indicates that there are many activities or events happening, often implying a busy or chaotic situation. For similar expressions, consider alternatives like "frequent activity" or "a flurry of activity".

How can I use "a lot of going back and forth" correctly?

Use "a lot of going back and forth" to describe repetitive movement or communication between two points or parties. It suggests negotiation or repeated attempts to resolve something. Other options are "repeated exchanges" or "constant negotiations", depending on the specific context.

Is "a lot of going" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "a lot of going" is often considered grammatically awkward. It usually requires a preposition or auxiliary verb to clarify the intended meaning. Consider using phrases like "a lot of activity" or specifying the action, such as "a lot of travel".

What are some alternatives to "a lot of going"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "a lot of going" with options like "considerable movement", "significant action", or specify the type of movement or activity involved.