going on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to activities that are continuing, such as: "We have been going on walks every day to get some fresh air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's going on?

The New York Times

By going on tour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

so much going on.

The New York Times

What is going on?

The New York Times

What was going on?

The New York Times

ReprintsWhat's going on?

The Economist

But what's going on?

The New Yorker

"It's going on!

The New York Times

What's really going on?

The New York Times

So what's going on?

The New York Times

What is really going on?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "going on" to describe an event, ensure the subject is clear. For instance, instead of just saying "There's something going on", specify what is happening: "There's a concert going on downtown".

Common error

Avoid using "going on" when a simple present tense is more appropriate for habitual actions or general truths. For example, instead of "The water is going on boiling at 100 degrees Celsius", use "The water boils at 100 degrees Celsius".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going on" primarily functions as a present participle used in continuous verb tenses. It describes actions or events that are currently in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples, indicating its widespread acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going on" is a versatile and commonly used present participle that functions primarily to describe ongoing activities or events. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide range of contexts. It typically carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for diverse settings, from news reports to casual conversations. Its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC solidify its place as a standard English expression. When using "going on", ensure the context is clear, and consider related phrases like "happening" or "taking place" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happening

Focuses on the occurrence of events or activities.

occurring

Emphasizes the process of taking place, often in a more formal context.

taking place

Highlights the act of something happening at a specific time or location.

proceeding

Suggests a continuation of an activity or process, often in a structured manner.

underway

Implies that something has already started and is in progress.

in progress

Directly indicates that something is currently happening or being done.

developing

Focuses on the gradual unfolding or evolution of something.

unfolding

Suggests a gradual revelation or progression of events.

transpiring

A more formal way of saying something is happening or occurring.

evolving

Highlights the changing or developing nature of something over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "going on" to describe an event that is currently happening, like "What's "going on" here?" or to indicate the passage of time, as in "It's "going on" midnight".

What are some alternatives to "going on"?

Alternatives include "happening", "occurring", or "taking place", depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "What's "going on"?", you could ask "What's "happening"?".

Is it correct to say "What is going on?" or "What's going on?"

Both "What is "going on"?" and "What's "going on"?" are grammatically correct. The second version is simply a contraction of "What is" and is more informal.

What's the difference between "going on" and "going forward"?

"Going on" typically refers to something currently happening or progressing. "Going forward", on the other hand, refers to future actions or plans. For example, "What's "going on" with that project?" asks about the current status, while "Going forward, we will implement new strategies" discusses future actions.