is going on

USAGE SUMMARY

"is going on" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe an ongoing action or event in the present tense. Example: "The party is still going on, even though it's already midnight." In this sentence, "is going on" is used to show that the party is currently happening and is still ongoing. Another example could be: "The construction work is going on next door, and it's causing a lot of noise." Here, "is going on" is used to describe the ongoing action of the construction work, which is still in progress.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

What is going on?

The New York Times

WHAT, exactly, is going on?

The Economist

"So something is going on".

The New York Times

But what is going on?

The New York Times - Arts

Something else is going on".

The New York Times

That is going on now".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

What's going on?

The New York Times

What was going on?

The New York Times

"It's going on!

The New York Times

"Bounties been going on forever".

The New York Times - Sports

ReprintsWhat's going on?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is going on" to describe events or situations that are currently happening or in progress. For example, "What is going on in the meeting room?".

Common error

While "is going on" is acceptable in most contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "is occurring" or "is taking place" in academic papers or business reports to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is going on" primarily functions as a present continuous verb phrase. It describes actions or events that are currently happening or unfolding. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to describe ongoing situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is going on" is a versatile and frequently used expression for describing ongoing events or inquiring about current situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While generally neutral in tone, it may be more suitable for informal or general contexts, with more formal alternatives available for academic or professional settings. The primary contexts where it's found are News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. Remember to consider the formality of your writing and choose the most appropriate phrasing for the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is happening

This alternative focuses on the occurrence of an event or situation, omitting the sense of continuation implied by "going on".

is in progress

This alternative highlights the ongoing nature of an activity or process.

is occurring

This alternative is a more formal synonym, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

is taking place

This alternative emphasizes the structured or planned nature of an event.

is underway

Similar to "in progress", this alternative emphasizes the commencement and continuation of an event.

is unfolding

This alternative suggests a gradual revelation or development of events.

is transpiring

This alternative is a formal and somewhat archaic synonym for "happening".

is being carried out

This alternative emphasizes the systematic and planned execution of an action.

is being done

This alternative focuses on an action being performed, often implying an agent or actor.

is afoot

This alternative suggests that something is secretly or mysteriously happening.

FAQs

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

Use "is going on" to inquire about or describe a current event or situation. For example: "What "is happening"?" or "Something strange is going on here".

What's a more formal way to say "is going on"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is occurring" or "is taking place" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "what's going on"?

Yes, "what's going on" is a common contraction of "what is going on" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "is going on" and "is in progress"?

"Is going on" is a more general term for something happening, while "is in progress" specifically refers to an activity or process that has started and is currently underway.