going on about

USAGE SUMMARY

"going on about" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is talking at length about a particular topic, often in a way that seems excessive or tiresome. Example: "She kept going on about her vacation plans." Alternative expressions include "rambling on about" and "talking endlessly about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A top player who Thierry [Henry] was going on about.

The New York Times

The Nexgen person is going on about "shopping paradigms".

The New York Times - Magazine

What's going on?" About what, I said sleepily.

The New Yorker

Why are they always going on about these things?

Huffington Post

I didn't really take much out of that 'cause I didn't really know what she (doctor) was going on about".

BMC Pediatrics

Why do you keep going on about fat? Q: What was your favourite lunch?

Independent

The other one who never stops going on about Islam.

The New York Times - Magazine

Let's stop going on about referees.

The Guardian - Sport

Still going on about it.

The Guardian - Sport

So let's stop going on about referees!

The Guardian - Sport

"Stop going on about the empire".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you want to convey. This phrase can suggest mild annoyance or exasperation. If you want to convey a more neutral or positive sentiment, consider alternatives like "discussing at length".

Common error

While "going on about" is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, avoid using it in formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "elaborating on" or "discussing".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "going on about" functions as a predicate describing an action, specifically, to talk at length, often repetitively or tediously, about a subject. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where the phrase indicates someone is speaking extensively on a topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going on about" is a common phrasal verb used to describe someone talking at length, often repetitively, about a particular topic. It generally carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the speaker's words are tiresome or excessive. As Ludwig points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media, but should be used sparingly in more formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "elaborating on" or "discussing in detail" for a more professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going on and on about

More emphatic version of the original phrase, stressing the duration.

talking incessantly about

Emphasizes the continuous and often irritating nature of the talking.

rambling on about

Indicates disorganized and lengthy speech.

harping on about

Implies persistent and tedious repetition of a topic.

repeating endlessly

Highlights the repetitive aspect of the speech.

dwelling on

Suggests focusing at length on a particular subject.

expounding on

Indicates a detailed and often lengthy explanation.

pontificating about

Implies speaking in a dogmatic or authoritative manner.

chatting at length about

Suggests a prolonged and informal conversation about something.

prattling on about

Implies foolish or inconsequential talk.

FAQs

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

You can use "going on about" to describe someone who is talking at length about a particular topic, often in a way that others find tedious. For example, "She was going on about her health problems again."

What's a less informal way to say "going on about"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "elaborating on", "discussing in detail", or "expounding on".

Is "going on about" grammatically correct?

Yes, "going on about" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe someone talking at length about something.

What's the difference between "going on about" and "talking about"?

"Talking about" is a general phrase, while "going on about" implies talking at length and often repetitively, sometimes to the point of annoyance. "She was talking about her vacation" is neutral, while "She was going on about her vacation" suggests she talked about it excessively.