go onward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go onward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to encourage someone to continue moving forward or to progress in a task or journey. Example: "After discussing the challenges we faced, it's time to go onward and tackle the next phase of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

From such struggles as these, our children go onward.

The Washington Post

I loved Knausgaard, but I didn't go onward to another volume.

The New Yorker

After a short drive to Jinshanling, we walked back up to the wall to go onward over three tough roller-coaster miles (on one uphill my sons counted 102 steps); the wall became more deteriorated as we approached what's known as Second Valley — our adventure's ending point.

The New York Times - Travel

Go onward.

WikiHow

See, you don't have to get stuck in that problem -- that might take all of your time: Do a quick effort; make it a worthwhile try, then go onward to less demanding homework.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

So we are going onward, upward, and I think everybody will be proud of us".

The New York Times

Whatever the thing was, she saw the boy discard it in the grass, and then they went onward, getting smaller and smaller, until they disappeared into the forest.

The New Yorker

His accuracy in making a pass, sprinting to receive a return pass, then going onward and upward into goal-scoring or goal-making situations is innate.

The New York Times - Sports

One reader suggested locking up terrorists there, in a structure with "windows that face the Statue of Liberty and the rest of New York, so that they can see that this city goes onward despite what they did".

The New York Times

— dreamed of marrying the boss and were "happy to keep his dinner warm / while he goes onward and upward," and when a sense of blessing somehow seeped into every craven corner.

The New Yorker

The river goes onward to flow past New Orleans, where the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina turned into the unnatural disaster of a city blockaded and its citizens shot down and stranded by the authorities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go onward" when you want to evoke a sense of forward momentum or continued progress, especially in narrative or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "go onward" in everyday conversation, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "move on" or "continue" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go onward" primarily functions as an imperative verb phrase, encouraging or instructing someone to continue moving forward or progressing. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go onward" is a grammatically sound way to express continuation or forward movement, though it's relatively rare in modern usage. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its function is to encourage or direct action, often appearing in neutral to slightly formal contexts such as news articles, wiki instructions and science. If you find "go onward" too formal for your situation, consider alternatives like "go forward", "move on", or simply "continue". While grammatically correct, remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing or speech when deciding whether to use "go onward".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go forward

Replaces "onward" with "forward", offering a more common and direct synonym for continuing or progressing.

move onward

Employs "move" as a verb, focusing on the physical act of progressing or advancing.

proceed onward

Adds "proceed" to emphasize the action of moving forward, making it slightly more formal.

press on

Implies a sense of determination and resilience in the face of challenges while continuing.

forge ahead

Suggests a determined and forceful movement forward, overcoming obstacles.

continue ahead

Uses "ahead" to highlight the direction of movement, suggesting a clear path or goal.

progress further

Highlights the concept of making advancements or improvements as one continues.

advance further

Focuses on advancing to a greater extent, suggesting progress beyond the current point.

keep going

Offers a more informal and encouraging way to express continued effort or movement.

carry on

Indicates the continuation of an activity or task, often despite difficulties.

FAQs

What does "go onward" mean?

The phrase "go onward" means to continue, proceed, or move forward. It suggests a progression or advancement from one point to another.

What can I say instead of "go onward"?

You can use alternatives like "go forward", "move on", or "continue" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "go onward"?

Yes, "go onward" is grammatically correct, although it may sound slightly formal or archaic in modern English. Simpler alternatives are generally preferred in casual speech.

How can I use "go onward" in a sentence?

You might say, "After a brief rest, we must "go onward" with our journey" or "Despite the challenges, the project will "go onward" to completion".