go onwards

USAGE SUMMARY

"go onwards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something should continue with something they are doing, instead of stopping. For example, "We must go onwards with our plans, despite the difficulties we face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

May she go onwards from here".

The Guardian - Sport

Good luck to it; may it go onwards and upwards.

The Guardian

She had a great horse to ride and look after her and may she go onwards from here.

The Guardian - Sport

They go onwards to Helmsley, then to Kirkbymoorside and heading north to Hutton le Hole and a King of the Mountain at Blakey Ridge.

The Guardian - Sport

"Hopefully we can go onwards and win some more trophies," he added.

BBC

"Being at the Pirates, I've seen people I've played with go onwards and it's made me realise that, while team-wise there's a huge step between Championship and Premiership clubs, individually the difference can be minute," he added.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We have a vision of a team that goes onwards.

The New York Times - Sports

As the Finn's career went onwards and upwards, McNish's gradually stalled after inconclusive performances in both formula three and F3000.

The Guardian - Sport

Around the right-hander they went, onwards and upwards into the home straight with the tireless Geraint Thomas towing them along and Froome placed handily.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Shilowa coyly boasted, "There will be some resignations today, and there will be some tomorrow and some on Tuesday going onwards".

The New York Times

Take his book Voyage: after the Apollo programme, Nasa wondered about going onwards to Mars by either upgrading its technology or instead taking the space shuttle/space station combo.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go onwards" to encourage continued effort or progress in situations where momentum is already established. For instance, in project updates or motivational speeches, this phrase reinforces the importance of sustained commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "go onwards" in very informal or casual conversations. Its slightly formal tone can sound out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "keep going" or "carry on" in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

"Go onwards" functions as an imperative or declarative phrase encouraging or describing continued progress or movement. The phrase suggests that an action or journey should not be interrupted or abandoned. Ludwig AI shows its use in news articles, suggesting a call to action or a description of ongoing efforts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go onwards" is grammatically correct and functions to encourage or describe continued progress, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. While not exceptionally common, its consistent usage across reliable sources suggests its acceptability. Consider alternative phrases like "move forward" or "press on" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig AI highlights that while appropriate in many formal settings, the phrase should be used sparingly in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move forward

A more general term for making progress, while "go onwards" suggests a more specific context of continuing a journey or task.

carry on

Implies continuing with something despite interruption or difficulty, unlike "go onwards" which doesn't necessarily suggest obstacles.

continue forward

Emphasizes continuous movement in a forward direction, unlike "go onwards" which implies a more general continuation.

progress further

Highlights making headway or improving, whereas "go onwards" simply means to continue.

keep going

A more informal way to express continuation, whereas "go onwards" has a slightly more formal tone.

proceed ahead

Stresses the act of advancing or progressing, differing from "go onwards" which focuses on the continuation of something already in motion.

advance further

Emphasizes moving to a more developed state or stage, differentiating it from the broader sense of continuation in "go onwards".

move along

Suggests a transition from one point or state to another, while "go onwards" focuses on the continuation of the current state.

press on

Highlights determination and persistence in continuing despite challenges, while "go onwards" is neutral regarding difficulty.

forge ahead

Suggests a forceful and determined advancement, carrying a stronger sense of purpose than "go onwards".

FAQs

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

You can use "go onwards" to suggest continuing a journey, task, or process. For instance, "Despite the setbacks, we must "continue forward" and "go onwards" with our project."

What are some alternatives to "go onwards"?

Several alternatives to "go onwards" include "move forward", "press on", and "carry on". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "go onwards" appropriate for formal writing?

"Go onwards" can be suitable for formal writing, particularly in contexts where you want to convey a sense of sustained progress or continuation, but be sure that is not too formal for the overall tone. You can eventually use alternatives.

What is the difference between "go onwards" and "move forward"?

"Go onwards" typically suggests continuing on a path already started, while "move forward" can imply starting something new or overcoming an obstacle. The subtle distinction depends on the specific context.