it has gone on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has gone on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has continued for a period of time or has persisted in some manner. Example: "The debate about climate change has gone on for decades without a clear resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The journey seems like it has gone on forever," he said.

The New York Times

"It's remarkable that it has gone on for as long as it has," Mr. Cuomo said.

The New York Times

And it has gone on for almost 40 years, and I think it's fraying at the edges.

Forbes

"It has gone on long enough and we want to talk about the rugby and the players we want to retain, rather than worrying whether they are going somewhere else," he said.

BBC

It has gone on to become one of the world's most widely used typefaces.

The Guardian - Arts

It has gone on to become one of Hungary's biggest comedy groups, mixing up live shows with television parodies mocking politicians, popular culture and life in general.

The Guardian

It has gone on to become one of the most ordered drinks at bars, to the chagrin of many a tired muddler.

Huffington Post

Comcast hasn't upgraded its network but it has gone on the offensive, offering cutthroat introductory offers and gift cards for people who switch back.

The Guardian

After shipping to its 85,000 backers, it has gone on general sale for around £100 at outlets such as Best Buy.

The Guardian - Tech

It has gone on their heads, over their hearts and, in one endearing moment, around the neck of a pint-size Romanian gymnast.

The New York Times - Sports

Kemp, who is nursing a sprained ankle and is on the disabled list for the third time this year, has exemplified one remarkable aspect about the run: that it has gone on seemingly impervious to roster instability.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has gone on" to emphasize the duration of an event or situation, particularly when it has persisted longer than expected or desired.

Common error

While "it has gone on" is versatile, avoid overuse in formal writing. Consider more precise synonyms like "continued", "persisted", or "extended" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has gone on" functions as a verb phrase, specifically using the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action or state began in the past and has continued up to the present. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Arts

10%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has gone on" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the continuation or duration of events that began in the past and persist into the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, its most common usage is found in News & Media, where it serves to emphasize the length of time something has transpired. While suitable for various contexts, avoiding overuse in highly formal writing is advisable. Consider using synonyms like "continued" or "persisted" for a more polished tone in professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it continued

Focuses on the simple continuation of an event or activity.

it carried on

Highlights the perseverance in continuing something despite difficulties.

it persisted

Emphasizes the enduring nature of something, often against resistance.

it proceeded

Highlights the orderly or structured advancement of an event or process.

it transpired

Indicates that events unfolded or became known over time.

it unfolded

Suggests a gradual revealing or development of events.

it played out

Implies a complete sequence of events, often with a dramatic connotation.

it rolled on

Emphasizes the relentless and continuous passage of time or events.

it lingered

Suggests a prolonged or slow continuation, often in a subtle way.

it stretched out

Emphasizes the extended duration of something, often beyond what was expected.

FAQs

How can I use "it has gone on" in a sentence?

You can use "it has gone on" to describe the duration of an event, as in "The discussion "it has gone on" for hours without a conclusion."

What's a more formal alternative to "it has gone on"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "it continued", "it persisted", or "it extended" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "it has gone on" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""it has gone on"" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate that something started in the past and continues to the present.

What's the difference between "it has gone on" and "it went on"?

"It has gone on" (present perfect) implies the action started in the past and is still relevant, while "it went on" (simple past) indicates the action is completed and in the past.