go on to

USAGE SUMMARY

"go on to" is a common phrase used in spoken and written English.
It is used to indicate that you are moving on to the next part of a list, story, or argument, or that you are continuing with a particular action or task. For example: "The teacher asked the student to take a seat, and then go on to describe her experience with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some go on to become lawyers.

The Guardian - Money

How do they go on to become independent researchers?

Health Research Policy and Systems

tests — only half go on to college.

The New Yorker

"We might go on to dinner afterwards.

The New York Times

Some go on to higher education.

The Economist

He would go on to play Joseph.

The New York Times

Some go on to develop intense fevers.

The New Yorker

Kimball would go on to finish 21st.

The New York Times

Others go on to stranger second acts.

The New York Times

Thousands go on to donate.

The Guardian

We go on to explain our implementation.

Journal of Computational Physics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go on to" to clearly signal a transition to the next step, topic, or phase in your writing or speech. This helps maintain a logical flow and keeps your audience engaged.

Common error

Avoid using "go on to" excessively when describing a simple sequence of actions. In such cases, direct verbs and transitional words like "then", "next", or "afterward" can provide a more concise and fluid narrative.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "go on to" is to act as a phrasal verb indicating a transition or progression to a subsequent action, state, or topic. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's role in connecting sequential events or ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

28%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go on to" is a versatile phrasal verb used to signal a transition or progression to a subsequent action, state, or topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, maintaining a generally neutral register. While "go on to" is very common, be mindful of overuse in simple sequences. Consider alternatives such as "proceed to", "continue to", or "move on to" for variety. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "go on to" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceed to

Indicates a more formal transition or movement to the next step or stage.

continue to

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the action following the transition.

move on to

Suggests a shift or change of focus to the next item or topic.

then do

Specifies the subsequent action or task in a sequence.

subsequently do

Highlights the chronological order of events, indicating what happens afterward.

next do

Emphasizes the order of performance of the action after.

later do

Indicates an action that will occur at a later time.

thereafter do

Suggests a formal continuation of events after a specified point.

afterward do

Indicates an action that takes place following a previous one.

follow with

Implies a logical sequence where one action leads to another.

FAQs

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

Use "go on to" to indicate the next action or step in a sequence. For example: "After finishing his degree, he will "go on to" pursue a master's degree".

What are some alternatives to "go on to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "proceed to", "continue to", or "move on to", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "went on to"?

Yes, "went on to" is the past tense form of ""go on to"" and is used to describe actions that happened in the past. For example: "She started as an intern and "went on to" become CEO".

What's the difference between "go on to" and "go to"?

"Go to" indicates movement to a specific place or object. "Go on to", however, indicates continuing towards the next stage of something else, such as completing a step in a process. For example: "First, "go to" the store, then "go on to" prepare dinner".