go on for

USAGE SUMMARY

"go on for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something continues in either time or space. For example: "His speech went on for an hour, and the applause went on for even longer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I might go on for a while.

The New Yorker

"They go on for years".

The New York Times

Some investigations go on for years.

The New York Times

This could go on for years yet.

Independent

Why did that go on for weeks?

The New York Times

It will go on for a while.

The New York Times

This can go on for hours.

The New York Times

Most games go on for years.

The New Yorker

These things should go on for weeks.

The New York Times

They could go on for some time.

The Economist

And this can go on for hours.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go on for" to describe the duration of an event, activity, or state, particularly when emphasizing the continuation or length of time it takes.

Common error

While "go on for" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "continue for" or "last for" in academic papers or business reports to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "go on for" functions primarily as a verb of duration, indicating the length of time that something lasts or continues. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe how long a meeting will last or how far a road stretches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go on for" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb used to indicate the duration of an event or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and frequently used, particularly in neutral to informal contexts like News & Media. While acceptable, remember to consider using more formal alternatives like "continue for" or "last for" in academic or professional writing. The phrase is very common across diverse sources, highlighting its widespread usability in English. Pay attention to context and purpose to ensure that "go on for" conveys your intended meaning clearly and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue for

This phrase is a more direct and slightly more formal way of saying something lasts for a certain duration.

last for

Emphasizes the duration of something; slightly more focused on the endpoint of the duration.

extend for

Suggests a stretching out or prolongation in either time or distance.

stretch for

Implies a continuous expanse, often used in spatial contexts or when describing time in a vivid way.

persist for

Highlights the endurance or resilience of something over a period.

carry on for

This alternative focuses on the sustained effort or activity during the duration.

drag on for

Conveys a sense of tediousness or unwanted prolongation.

roll on for

Implies a smooth, continuous progression, often without specific endpoint.

draw out for

Suggests that something is being prolonged, possibly unnecessarily.

hold out for

Indicates that something is maintained or sustained, usually with effort or against challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "go on for" in a sentence?

You can use "go on for" to indicate the duration of an event or activity. For instance, "The meeting will "go on for" another hour" or "The road seemed to "go on for" miles".

What are some alternatives to "go on for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "continue for", "last for", or "extend for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "going on for" instead of "go on for"?

Yes, "going on for" is a correct and commonly used form, often used in continuous tenses. For example, "It's been "going on for" hours".

What is the difference between "go on for" and "continue for"?

While both phrases indicate duration, ""go on for"" is generally more informal. "Continue for" might be preferred in formal writing or when a more precise meaning is desired.