going off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe leaving a place or to indicate something exciting is about to happen. For example: I'm going off to the movies tonight with my friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Hearing aids going off.

The New York Times

"It just stopped going off".

The New Yorker

So many flashes going off.

The Guardian - Film

Fireworks were going off.

The New York Times

Mobile phones going off.

The Guardian

My phone was always going off.

The New York Times

"All my alarms were going off".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The baby is going off.

Huffington Post

Institutions are going off-message again.

The New York Times

Invest in going off-grid.

Harvard Business Review

Now it's going off-ice.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going off" to describe events that are suddenly starting, such as "alarms going off" or "fireworks going off".

Common error

Avoid using "going off" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be more appropriate. For instance, instead of "the experiment is going off without a hitch", consider "the experiment is proceeding successfully".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going off" functions primarily as a verb phrase, typically used in the present continuous tense. It indicates an action that is currently in progress or about to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going off" is a versatile verb phrase with several common usages. It describes sudden activations like alarms, emotional outbursts, departures, or events commencing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and prevalent in news and media, academia, and everyday conversations. While generally acceptable, remember to adjust formality based on context, choosing more precise language for academic or business settings. Alternatives like "departing", "exploding", or "setting off" can offer subtle nuances to your writing. By understanding its varied meanings and appropriate contexts, you can effectively utilize "going off" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking off

Often used to describe the start of a flight or sudden success.

setting off

Highlights the initiation of a journey or action.

leaving

A simple and direct way to express departure.

departing

Focuses on the act of leaving a place.

blasting off

Implies a rapid or forceful departure, sometimes with excitement.

exploding

Emphasizes a sudden burst of activity or sound.

activating

Specifically relates to starting a device or system.

triggering

Implies causing something to activate or start.

erupting

Suggests a sudden and forceful outburst, often emotional.

commencing

A formal way to indicate the start of something.

FAQs

How can I use "going off" in a sentence?

You can use "going off" to describe something that is starting to function or activate, like "The alarm is going off", or to indicate someone is departing, as in "He's going off to college".

What does "going off" mean when describing a person's behavior?

When referring to a person, "going off" can mean they are suddenly expressing strong emotions or becoming angry. For instance, "He started "ranting" and going off about the injustice".

Are there any situations where "going off" would be inappropriate?

While generally acceptable, "going off" might be too informal for academic papers or formal business reports. In those cases, consider more precise alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "going off" and "setting off"?

"Going off" typically refers to something starting suddenly, like an alarm or an explosion, or someone expressing anger. "Setting off" usually means beginning a journey or causing something to activate.