get going

USAGE SUMMARY

"get going" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression when you want to say that someone should start doing something or make a greater effort to do something. Example: "Come on, let's get going - we have a lot to get done today!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Just get going.

Independent

"We'd better get going".

The New York Times

Let's get going".

Forbes

to get going.

Cornell University

It's time to get going.

The New York Times - Sports

"I should probably get going.

The New Yorker

"Pau's got to get going.

The New York Times - Sports

Matt's going to get going".

The New York Times - Sports

Andrew's got to get going.

The New York Times - Sports

"Get going now," he snarled.

The New Yorker

Can he get going here?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get going" to inject a sense of urgency or motivation into your writing. It's particularly effective when encouraging action or progress.

Common error

While "get going" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "commence" or "initiate" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "get going" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. It is used both transitively, to suggest beginning an action, and intransitively, to indicate departing or leaving. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get going" is a common and versatile idiomatic expression used to encourage action, signal departure, or indicate the commencement of an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both spoken and written English. While it maintains a generally neutral register, its usage leans towards informal contexts and should be carefully considered in highly formal writing. Examples from Ludwig show its prevalence in news, media, and academic spheres, making it a useful addition to one's vocabulary for motivating action or signaling intent to leave.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get started

This alternative focuses on the initiation of an activity, similar to beginning a task or project.

let's go

A simple and direct command to begin moving or acting.

make a start

This phrase means to begin an activity. It's slightly more formal than "get going".

get a move on

This suggests a sense of urgency or encouragement to hasten.

get underway

This phrase is often used when referring to events or journeys, giving it a slightly more formal tone.

set off

This alternative primarily means to start a journey or trip.

take off

This alternative implies a more rapid or immediate departure.

be off

Similar to 'set off', this indicates departure, often in a casual context.

bestir oneself

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying to rouse oneself to action.

commence action

Very formal, suitable for professional contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "get going" in a sentence?

You can use "get going" to mean either starting an activity or departing. For example, "Let's get going on this project" or "I should probably get going before it gets dark".

What's a more formal alternative to "get going"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "commence", "initiate", or "begin", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "get going" appropriate for business communication?

Yes, "get going" can be appropriate in business communication, especially when motivating a team or initiating a project. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of the communication. If a more formal tone is needed, use alternatives like "let's start" or "let's begin".

What's the difference between "get going" and "get started"?

While both phrases mean to begin something, "get going" can also imply leaving or departing, whereas "get started" primarily refers to initiating an activity or task. So, "get started" is more specific to beginning a task, while "get going" is versatile and can apply to both starting something and leaving a place.