ever going on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ever going on" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where one is referring to something that seems to be continuously happening or ongoing. Example: "The meeting felt like it was ever going on, with no end in sight."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It can be said," Mr. Richards replied, without ever going on to say it.

The New York Times

"We could get virtually all athletes to their events without ever going on a road," said Daniel Doctoroff, a Wall Street executive and president of NYC 2012.

The New York Times

Has any other club participated in the CL/European Cup more often in total without ever going on to win it?

The Guardian - Sport

New Zealand, who play England next, have reached six World Cup semi-finals without ever going on to make the final.

BBC

At this point, the data is still on a private, dedicated network like Yipes and may also move to …. 5a An Akamai computer, that stores the most sought-after Web pages, returning information to a user without ever going on a public line, or …. 5b An Internap computer.

Forbes

It's set mainly in the security room of an anonymous office building, a room filled with monitors showing hallways and lobbies and offices where absolutely nothing is ever going on.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was one of the hardest things that ever went on between us.

Huffington Post

Tom: Firstly, that school trips can be some of the most crazy and hilarious holidays you will ever go on!

The Guardian

Only a handful had ever gone on to secondary school and no one ever finished.

The Guardian

So one of the first trips I  ever went on was when I was 16 years old, to Varanasi, India.

Independent

"It was one of the best dates that I ever went on".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ever going on", ensure the context clearly indicates continuous action or duration. It's often more effective with a preceding negative, like 'nothing is ever going on', to emphasize a lack of activity.

Common error

Avoid using "ever going on" as a vague placeholder. Replace it with more specific verbs or adverbs that accurately describe the action's nature and duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever going on" functions as a phrasal verb in progressive form, often used to describe an action that seems to be continuously happening or unfolding. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is not always the most precise choice and could benefit from more specific wording. Its function is typically to add a sense of ongoing, and sometimes frustrating, duration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ever going on" describes something seemingly continuous, often with a negative connotation or to express disbelief. Ludwig AI indicates it's not always the most precise choice, and more specific verbs or adverbs might enhance clarity. Found primarily in news and media, this phrasal verb functions to indicate ongoing actions or situations, though its usage is relatively uncommon. Remember to use it deliberately, considering alternatives for greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

always continuing

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of an event or process.

persistently developing

Focuses on the sustained growth or evolution of something.

constantly progressing

Emphasizes continuous advancement or development.

endlessly evolving

Emphasizes the continuous adaptation and change over time.

incessantly proceeding

Stresses the relentless and uninterrupted nature of something advancing.

ceaselessly unfolding

Implies a gradual and continuous revelation or development.

unremittingly advancing

Implies a steady and forceful forward movement.

perpetually in motion

Focuses on the ongoing activity and lack of stagnation.

relentlessly pursuing

Stresses the continuous effort and determination towards a goal.

everlasting continuation

Highlights the never ending aspect of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "ever going on" in a sentence?

You can use "ever going on" to describe something that seems to be continuously happening, especially in a negative context to emphasize a lack of activity. For example, "It seemed like the meeting was "endlessly going on", with no end in sight."

What are some alternatives to "ever going on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "continuously happening", "always continuing", or "ceaselessly unfolding".

Is "ever going on" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "ever going on" can sound awkward in some contexts. It is more commonly used in specific phrases, such as "nothing is ever going on". Using more precise language often improves clarity.

What is the difference between "ever going on" and "always going on"?

"Ever going on" often implies a sense of disbelief or frustration that something is continuously happening, whereas "always going on" simply indicates a consistent state. The choice depends on the intended nuance.