going on noon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going on noon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the time is approaching noon, often implying that it is a little before noon. Example: "We should start preparing lunch; it's going on noon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

These days it would not do to torture an American consumer on the phone with silence. it was going on noon, time to take out my breviary, the prayer book that we always carry.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

December 31st — So many parties going on tonight.

The New Yorker

"There was some of that going on tonight".

The New York Times

We just come down here to find out what's going on tonight".

The New York Times

Apparently, there was some other rugby game going on last night, in Paris.

The Guardian - Sport

"Hey, so, what do you have going on tonight?" He was still unsure — maybe he should invite him.

The New Yorker

"He's gotta separate the sinners from the non-sinners, and that could take time, what with so much sinning going on tonight.

Forbes

What do you have going on tonight?

Huffington Post

But they should be with the Opening Ceremony going on tonight!

Huffington Post

Sure he looks like a toolbag but what else do you have going on tonight?

Vice

I heard what was going on this morning at work, but I haven't really followed the story.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going on noon" when you want to subtly indicate a time slightly before noon, often in a narrative or descriptive context where precise time isn't critical. For more precision, consider using "approaching noon" or stating the actual time.

Common error

Avoid using "going on noon" when you need to convey an exact time. This phrase is vague and should not be used in situations where precision is necessary, such as scheduling or scientific contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going on noon" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a time close to midday. Ludwig examples show it used to set a scene or indicate the timing of an event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going on noon" is a grammatically correct though infrequent, way to indicate that the time is approaching midday. Ludwig's analysis, based on the available example, confirms its acceptability, especially in descriptive contexts. Although the term is fine in general, in a business letter is better to be more formal. When writing, consider more common alternatives like "approaching noon" or "almost noon" for clarity and broader understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Approaching noon

Replaces the "going on" idiom with a more direct and common phrasing.

Nearing noon

Similar to "approaching noon", offering a slightly different word choice to convey the same meaning.

Almost noon

Indicates that noon is very close, emphasizing the proximity in time.

Close to noon

Emphasizes the nearness of noon, using a spatial metaphor for time.

Around noon

Suggests a time approximately at noon, allowing for some variation.

About to be noon

Highlights the imminence of noon, focusing on the transition.

Midday approaching

Inverts the structure, placing emphasis on midday as the target time.

Nearing midday

Uses "midday" instead of "noon", providing a synonym with similar meaning.

The hour before noon

Specifies a timeframe leading up to noon, providing more context.

Shortly before 12 pm

Uses a more specific time reference, replacing the idiomatic expression with a precise time.

FAQs

What does "going on noon" mean?

"Going on noon" means that the time is approaching or nearly noon. It suggests it is a little before 12:00 PM.

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

You might say, "It was "going on noon", time to think about lunch" to indicate that it was almost lunchtime.

What can I say instead of "going on noon"?

You can use alternatives like "approaching noon", "almost noon", or "close to noon" depending on the context.

Is "going on noon" formal or informal?

"Going on noon" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise language such as "approaching noon" or specify the exact time.