go on forever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go on forever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity, event, or situation that seems to last a very long time, or to say that something continues indefinitely. For example, you could say "The line at the grocery store seemed to go on forever!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It couldn't go on forever.

The New York Times

That can't go on forever".

The New York Times - Tech

This could go on forever.

The New York Times - Arts

This will go on forever.

The Economist

We could go on forever.

The New York Times

It'll go on forever!

The Guardian - Music

Quasars go on forever".

The New York Times

It could go on forever.

Yale University

"He's going to go on forever.

The New York Times

They could just go on forever.

The New Yorker

But that can't go on forever.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go on forever" to describe processes, feelings, or situations that seem to have no end in sight. For example, "The debate about climate change could go on forever."

Common error

While "go on forever" is a common phrase, avoid using it repetitively in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "continue indefinitely" or "persist endlessly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go on forever" typically functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the duration or continuation of an action, event, or state. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, suggesting it's a valid grammatical construct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go on forever" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the idea of something lasting indefinitely. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in written English across various contexts. It’s most frequently found in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business settings, signaling its versatility. While widely accepted, overuse should be avoided by incorporating synonyms like "continue indefinitely" or "persist endlessly" to enhance writing quality. Ludwig provides numerous examples that demonstrate its use in describing seemingly endless situations, actions, or states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue indefinitely

Focuses on the lack of a set endpoint.

last eternally

Emphasizes the unending nature of something, with a more formal tone.

persist endlessly

Highlights the unyielding or determined nature of the continuation.

stretch out forever

Emphasizes the duration or length of time involved.

never cease

Focuses on the absence of stopping or ending.

keep going indefinitely

Implies a process or activity that continues without a defined limit.

carry on endlessly

Similar to 'keep going' but may suggest a burden or responsibility.

extend without limit

Highlights the unbounded nature of the extension.

endure perpetually

Focuses on the enduring nature of something over a very long time.

roll on forever

Implies a continuous and perhaps inevitable progression.

FAQs

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

You can use "go on forever" to describe something that seems endless or continues without stopping. For example: "The list of things to do seems to "go on forever"".

What are some alternatives to "go on forever"?

Alternatives to "go on forever" include "continue indefinitely", "last eternally", or "persist endlessly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "gone on forever" instead of "go on forever"?

"Gone on forever" is grammatically correct but implies something that started in the past and has continued to the present. "Go on forever" is more general and can refer to future or hypothetical situations.

What's the difference between "go on forever" and "go on endlessly"?

"Go on forever" and "go on endlessly" are very similar. "Go on forever" might suggest a slightly longer or more indefinite duration, but they're often interchangeable.