going on forever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going on forever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that seems to continue indefinitely or without an end. Example: "The meeting felt like it was going on forever, with no resolution in sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Absurdly, we had grown to think of him as going on forever, because he embodied certain qualities that put us in mind of permanence.

The New Yorker

As a former advertising man, Pearson knows that "all he is good at is warming the slippers of late capitalism" – and the future is "a cable TV programme going on forever", a barcode, CCTV camera and a parking space.

The Guardian - Books

Police Violence Has Been Going On Forever.

HuffPost

While it may feel like it has been going on forever, the 2016 election is one year from now.

Huffington Post

It's been going on forever.

Independent

"Bounties been going on forever".

The New York Times - Sports

These fights have been going on forever.

The New York Times

"We're going on forever," Officer Conroy testified.

The New York Times

"This has been going on forever".

The New York Times

But it's been going on forever.

The Guardian - Film

"It's been going on forever, forever, forever".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going on forever" to describe processes, feelings, or events that seem to have no end in sight. It is suitable for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "going on forever" excessively in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "continuing indefinitely" or "unending" to maintain the appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going on forever" functions as a continuous verbal phrase, describing an action or state that appears to have no end. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going on forever" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that seems to continue indefinitely. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While appropriate for general use, it might be best to choose more formal alternatives like "continuing indefinitely" in academic or scientific writing. The key takeaway is to use "going on forever" when you want to express a sense of prolonged duration, often with an implication of tedium or frustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuing indefinitely

Focuses on the limitless aspect, less colloquial than the original phrase.

lasting eternally

Emphasizes the permanent nature, suggesting a timeless quality.

never ceasing

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the action or state.

without end

A simple and direct way to express the lack of a limit.

unending

A more concise adjective form.

perpetual

Suggests a continuous and unchanging state.

incessant

Implies constant and often irritating continuation.

ceaseless

Similar to 'never ceasing', but more formal.

everlasting

Emphasizes the duration and can carry a spiritual connotation.

remaining ongoing

Highlights the active continuation of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "going on forever" to describe something that seems to continue without end. For example, "The debate seemed to be "going on forever" with no resolution in sight."

What are some alternatives to "going on forever"?

Alternatives include "continuing indefinitely", "lasting eternally", or "never ceasing". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "going on forever" appropriate for formal writing?

While "going on forever" is widely understood, it is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "unending" or "perpetual" for a more professional tone.

What does it mean when something is described as "going on forever"?

It means that the thing seems to have no end in sight, continuing for an indefinite and seemingly very long time. It often implies a sense of frustration or boredom due to the prolonged duration.