getting on with

USAGE SUMMARY

"getting on with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically means to continue or make progress in something or with something. For example, "Although it was difficult, the team kept getting on with the project and eventually completed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Opinion

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Geoff Dyer suggests getting on with it.

The New Yorker

Kevin Rudd's getting on with his".

The New York Times

Business is just getting on with it.

The New York Times

They were just getting on with it.

The New York Times - Arts

Eibar, quietly getting on with it.

The Guardian - Sport

We're just getting on with the job.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Everyone's just getting on with it.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm just getting on with my job.

The Guardian

They are just getting on with it.

The Guardian - Business

"Now I'm just getting on with my job.

Independent

But Mr. Letta has been quietly getting on with changes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "getting on with" with specific actions or tasks to provide context and clarity. For instance, "getting on with the project" or "getting on with daily life".

Common error

Avoid using "getting on with" when you intend to convey excitement or anticipation for something. This phrase implies a focus on the present and continuation, not future-oriented eagerness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting on with" functions primarily as a prepositional verb indicating the continuation or progression of an action or task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies making progress or continuing despite potential difficulties. For example, "Business is just getting on with it."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Business

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "getting on with" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional verb that signifies continuing or making progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its frequent appearance in news and media, business, and sport contexts underscores its broad applicability. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for diverse settings. When seeking alternatives, consider "continuing with", "proceeding with", or "progressing with", keeping in mind the specific nuance you wish to convey. A key point to remember is to use the phrase to highlight resilience and forward motion, not excitement or anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carrying on with

Highlights the perseverance and resilience in continuing something, especially after a disruption.

progressing with

Emphasizes the advancement and development of something.

moving forward with

Suggests a deliberate effort to advance despite potential obstacles.

pushing on with

Conveys a sense of determination and effort in continuing despite challenges.

continuing with

Focuses on the act of continuing without necessarily implying progress.

proceeding with

Implies a more formal and structured continuation of a task or activity.

sticking with

Implies loyalty and commitment to continuing with something, even when it's difficult.

staying with

Focuses on remaining committed and dedicated to a particular task or activity.

keeping at it

An informal way of saying to continue making an effort.

getting along with

This alternative focuses on maintaining positive relationships while working together, rather than continuing with a task.

FAQs

What does "getting on with" mean?

The phrase "getting on with" generally means to continue or make progress with something, often implying a return to normalcy or a focus on the present. It can also mean to have a good relationship with someone.

What can I say instead of "getting on with"?

You can use alternatives like "continuing with", "proceeding with", or "progressing with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "getting on with" formal or informal?

"Getting on with" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly informal phrase, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. More formal alternatives might include "proceeding with" or "continuing with".

How do I use "getting on with" in a sentence?

You can use "getting on with" to describe continuing a task (e.g., "We're just getting on with the job"), managing a situation (e.g., "Everyone's just getting on with it"), or maintaining a relationship (e.g., "I'm getting on with my colleagues").