is going

USAGE SUMMARY

"is going" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is a present continuous verb phrase that denotes an action or event that is currently in progress. Example: She is going to the store to buy some groceries. In this sentence, "is going" indicates that the action of going to the store is currently happening.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something is going right.

The New Yorker

"Nobody is going out.

The New York Times

Manufacturing is going digital.

The Economist

Production is going elsewhere.

The New York Times

"He is going nowhere".

The New York Times

Paper is going away".

The New York Times

My mind is going.

The New Yorker

Nothing is going right.

The New York Times

Memory is going.

The New York Times

It is going downhill".

The Economist

Film is going strong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is going" to describe an ongoing action or a future plan. Ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is going" when a simple present tense is more appropriate for habitual actions. For example, use "He goes to school" instead of "He is going to school" to describe a routine.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is going" functions primarily as part of the present continuous tense, indicating an action or event that is currently in progress or will occur in the near future. This is supported by Ludwig's examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is going" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express ongoing actions or future intentions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "is proceeding" or "is advancing" exist, "is going" provides a versatile and easily understood way to communicate current and future events. Remember to avoid using it for habitual actions where the simple present tense would be more appropriate. With its neutral register and frequent use in authoritative sources, "is going" remains a valuable part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is proceeding

Focuses on the continuous action or progress of something.

is advancing

Emphasizes forward movement or development.

is moving forward

Highlights progress and direction.

is developing

Implies growth and evolution.

is progressing

Similar to "is proceeding" but may suggest steadier advancement.

is underway

Indicates that something has already started and is in progress.

is transpiring

A more formal way to describe an event that is currently happening.

is taking place

Focuses on an event that is occurring.

will happen

Shifts the focus to a future event.

is coming

Indicates an approach or arrival.

FAQs

How can I use "is going" in a sentence?

"Is going" indicates an ongoing action or a future intention. For example, "She "is going" to the store" shows a planned action, while "The project "is going" well" describes current progress.

What's the difference between "is going to" and "will"?

"Is going to" implies a plan or intention, while "will" can indicate a spontaneous decision or a general future event. For example, "I "am going to" travel next week" suggests a pre-arranged trip, whereas "I "will travel" someday" expresses a general future possibility.

What are some alternatives to "is going"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is proceeding", "is advancing", or "is developing" to describe ongoing actions. For future plans, "plans to" or "intends to" can be suitable.

When should I avoid using "is going"?

Avoid using "is going" when describing habitual actions or general truths. In such cases, the simple present tense is more appropriate. For instance, use "The sun rises in the east" instead of "The sun "is going to rise" in the east".