going to plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is progressing as expected or as intended. For example: The new project is going to plan, with the timeline and budget both being maintained.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All was going to plan.

The Guardian

This isn't going to plan.

The Guardian - Sport

It's all going to plan.

The Guardian - Sport

But the wedding isn't going to plan.

The Guardian - Books

I'm not going to plan anything.

The Guardian - Music

Everything's going to plan, he keeps saying.

The Guardian - Sport

We hope that everything so far is going to plan".

Independent

Moreover, it was not going to plan for England.

The Guardian - Sport

All was going to plan though, with snogging possibilities kindled.

The Guardian - Travel

Not all going to plan in Toronto right now.

The Guardian - Sport

"But with the PB everything is going to plan.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going to plan" when you want to communicate that an activity, project, or situation is developing as expected without unexpected problems. It assures stakeholders of smooth progress.

Common error

Avoid using "going to plan" to describe a past event that was supposed to happen, but didn't. Instead, use phrases like "it was supposed to go to plan" or "it was meant to go to plan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to plan" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a state is achieved. Ludwig examples confirm that "going to plan" describes a situation's progress or lack thereof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Lifestyle

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going to plan" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to communicate that a project or activity is progressing as expected. Ludwig's analysis, based on numerous real-world examples, confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts, mainly in news, sports, and science-related discussions. Its neutral register allows for flexible use in various settings, making it a valuable phrase for clear and effective communication. Use "going to plan" to express reassurance about progress, but be mindful of tense to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceeding as expected

This alternative highlights the progress aspect, emphasizing that things are unfolding in the anticipated manner.

progressing according to schedule

This phrase emphasizes the adherence to a set timeline or schedule.

unfolding as anticipated

This alternative focuses on the unfolding nature of events, suggesting a sense of prediction and expectation.

working out as expected

This suggests a problem-solving perspective, implying that difficulties are being resolved in a way that aligns with expectations.

shaping up nicely

Implies things are developing well, with a positive outlook on the progress.

coming along as planned

This suggests a development aspect, emphasizing that things are being solved aligning with expectations.

on track

This is a short and direct way of saying things are progressing as they should, implying adherence to a planned route.

as things should be

This highlights the correctness of the current situation, suggesting that everything is in order.

according to the blueprint

This implies a high level of detail and planning, suggesting strict adherence to a pre-defined design.

running smoothly

This highlights the efficient and trouble-free nature of the progress.

FAQs

How can I use "going to plan" in a sentence?

You can use "going to plan" to describe the progress of a project, event, or any activity that is unfolding as expected. For example, "The construction of the new bridge is "going to plan", and it should be completed by next year."

What is an alternative to saying "going to plan"?

Alternatives to "going to plan" include "proceeding as expected", "progressing according to schedule", or "on track". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "went to plan"?

While "went to plan" might be understood, it's less common and idiomatic than phrases like "it "went as planned"" or "it "went according to plan"". These alternatives are more standard for describing a past event that unfolded as intended.

What does it mean when something is not "going to plan"?

When something is not "going to plan", it means that the activity or project is experiencing unexpected problems or delays. This indicates that adjustments or corrective actions may be necessary to get things back "on track".