had gone on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had gone on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action was completed in the past before another action took place, often in a narrative context. Example: "After the meeting had gone on for hours, the participants began to lose focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It had gone on long enough," he said.

The New York Times

But the waiting and agony had gone on long enough.

The New York Times

On the other hand... maybe this spectacle had gone on long enough.

The New Yorker

After a few minutes, the police decided the impromptu interview had gone on long enough.

Independent

On Tuesday, December 17th, he decided that the settlement talks had gone on long enough.

The New Yorker

Up to the turn of the millennium, China had gone on well with her Asian neighbours and African friends.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

OpTic had gone on to win gold.

The New Yorker

I had gone on.

The New Yorker

The show had gone on.

The Guardian

My life had gone on.

The New York Times

What had gone on there?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had gone on" to clearly establish the sequence of past events, ensuring the action was completed before another occurred. For example, "By the time I arrived, the meeting "had gone on" for an hour."

Common error

Avoid using "had gone on" when referring to a present or future action. This phrase is strictly for past perfect tense scenarios. Instead of saying "The party had gone on now", say "The party is going on now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had gone on" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating that an action or event occurred and was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as describing the duration of events or the progression of negotiations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had gone on" is a versatile past perfect verb phrase used to indicate that an action or event occurred and concluded before another point in the past. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. Its primary function is to establish a clear sequence of past events. While suitable for formal writing, it maintains a neutral register and is also appropriate for informal contexts. Remember to use it to show completion before a subsequent action and avoid it when referring to present or future events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had continued

Replaces "gone on" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action.

had carried on

Similar to "had continued", but with a slightly more colloquial tone.

had proceeded

Suggests a more formal or structured continuation of events.

had stretched on

Highlights the duration of something, suggesting it lasted for a considerable time.

had transpired

Indicates that events had occurred or unfolded, focusing on the outcome.

had taken place

Emphasizes the occurrence of an event or situation in the past.

had unfolded

Suggests a gradual revelation or development of events.

had ensued

Implies that something followed as a consequence or result.

had persisted

Emphasizes the stubborn continuation of something despite obstacles.

had rolled on

Conveys a sense of time passing and events progressing without interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "had gone on" in a sentence?

Use "had gone on" to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. For instance, "The negotiations "had gone on" for weeks before a resolution was reached."

What phrases are similar to "had gone on"?

Similar phrases include "had continued", "had proceeded", or "had taken place", all indicating that something happened or continued for a period in the past.

Is "had gone on" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "had gone on" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its appropriateness depends on the context and the surrounding vocabulary.

How does "had gone on" differ from "went on"?

"Had gone on" (past perfect) indicates an action completed before another past action, while "went on" (simple past) simply describes an action in the past. For example, "The concert had gone on for hours when the power went out" versus "The concert went on until midnight."