go on playing

USAGE SUMMARY

"go on playing" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in many different contexts to tell someone to continue doing something, usually referring to an activity that is currently ongoing. For example: "The kids were having a great time playing tag, so I told them to go on playing while I grabbed some snacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Books

Tech

Opinion

Film

Lifestyle

Magazine

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

There's only so long you can lead this sort of lifestyle but I could quite easily go on playing for another year.

The Guardian - Sport

We don't need to be told what Sparafucile and the Duke are doing next: they are stereotypes, albeit richly detailed ones, and they will go on playing lethal games with other people's lives.

The New Yorker

The then chancellor, Gordon Brown, was instrumental in sealing the compromise deal, which allowed the Premier League to go on playing media giants off one another in an attempt to maximise revenue.

The Guardian - Sport

Should we go on playing, we wondered.

The New Yorker

"I couldn't go on playing this way".

The New Yorker

But I'll go on playing this new oxymoronic role.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

So a woman can go on, play with gamers and gets a cut.

TechCrunch

Go on, play with your food.

WikiHow

The children, three girls and a boy, went on playing with the doll's house.

The New Yorker

Buddy and Bob might have gone on playing supermarket openings, fairs, and local talent shows until they were old and grey.

The Guardian - Music

The writer goes on playing this game of which persons with the same first names were responsible for certain things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go on playing" to encourage the continuation of an activity, particularly when you want to express a sense of ease or informality. For example, "The children were enjoying the game so much, I told them to go on playing until dinner."

Common error

Avoid using "going on playing" when a simple "playing" suffices, especially in descriptive contexts. Overusing the continuous form can make your writing sound awkward. Instead of "They were going on playing in the park", consider "They were playing in the park".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go on playing" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the continuation of an action. It's primarily used to encourage or permit the continuation of the activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Arts

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go on playing" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to encourage or permit the continuation of an activity. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sport. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for most situations, more formal alternatives like "continue playing" may be preferred in professional settings. When employing this phrase, be mindful of potential overuse and ensure its appropriateness for the intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue playing

This alternative is a more formal and direct synonym, emphasizing the uninterrupted continuation of the act of playing.

keep playing

This alternative is a more informal synonym, suggesting persistence in the activity of playing.

carry on playing

This alternative is a slightly more emphatic way of saying "go on playing", implying resilience or determination.

proceed with playing

This alternative is a more formal and structured way to indicate the continuation of play, often implying a planned or organized activity.

go ahead and play

This alternative suggests permission or encouragement to continue playing.

persist in playing

This alternative highlights the sustained effort and dedication towards playing, even in the face of obstacles.

stick to playing

This alternative conveys a sense of loyalty or commitment to the activity of playing, implying a refusal to deviate or quit.

maintain playing

This alternative implies the continuous act of playing. Less common usage.

sustain playing

This alternative emphasizes the effort required to continue the act of playing, particularly in challenging circumstances.

hold on playing

Implies persevering, or enduring, in the act of playing, often in adverse circumstances, where other options may present themselves.

FAQs

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

You can use "go on playing" to encourage someone to continue an activity they are already engaged in. For example, "The music is great, so feel free to go on playing". It implies continuation and often encouragement.

What's a more formal way to say "go on playing"?

A more formal alternative to "go on playing" is "continue playing". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts where a more direct and less casual tone is preferred.

Is there a difference between "go on playing" and "keep playing"?

While both phrases suggest continuing an activity, "go on playing" often carries a slight sense of permission or encouragement, while "keep playing" simply emphasizes persistence. The difference is subtle and context-dependent.

What are some situations where I shouldn't use "go on playing"?

Avoid using "go on playing" in very formal or serious contexts where a more direct or professional tone is required. In such cases, "continue playing" or "proceed with playing" would be more appropriate.