ongoing things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ongoing things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to activities, projects, or situations that are currently in progress or continuing over time. Example: "We need to address the ongoing things in our project to ensure we stay on track and meet our deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Ongoing things.

The New Yorker

They're ongoing things now.

The New Yorker

It's always ongoing, things being done to undermine the success of certain individuals, particularly in politics.

The New York Times - Magazine

"A few of us are still struggling with ongoing things so we'll see how it goes," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

The prosecutor, Marilyn Bradford, insists, "There were a lot of scary things that happened to the victims in the case — ongoing things that happened to the little siblings".

The New Yorker

Despite my grim mood, I had somehow or other managed to put on makeup, pull on clothes, affix pearl earrings and go to a civilized old-New York type of dinner, where we talked of ongoing things — children, schools, plays to see, reasons to live as opposed to reasons to die.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It's an ongoing thing".

The New York Times - Sports

So that's an ongoing thing.

The New York Times

That will be an ongoing thing.

The Guardian - Sport

It taught me a lot about voice – an ongoing thing.

The Guardian

Celibacy helps me meditate and it's an ongoing thing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects or tasks, clarify the specific nature of the "ongoing things" to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "We need to address the ongoing things", specify "We need to address the ongoing tasks related to project X."

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing things" as a vague placeholder. Always ensure you define what "things" refers to within the context. Vague references can confuse the reader; be specific about whether you mean "ongoing projects", "ongoing issues", or "ongoing discussions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ongoing things" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "things". It refers to activities, projects, or issues currently in progress. Ludwig identifies its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ongoing things" is grammatically correct and usable for referring to activities or issues currently in progress. While Ludwig confirms its appropriateness, it's essential to consider context. As highlighted in the writing guidance, specificity is key, especially in formal settings where alternatives like "continuing matters" or "active developments" may improve clarity and impact. While "ongoing things" appears primarily in news and media, remember to tailor your language to suit the specific tone and requirements of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuing matters

Replaces "things" with "matters", emphasizing issues or affairs that are still in progress.

current affairs

Focuses on events or situations of public interest that are happening at the present time.

live issues

Highlights that the issues are not only ongoing, but also actively debated or dealt with.

continuous processes

Emphasizes the procedural aspect of the ongoing activities.

unresolved matters

Focuses on the aspect of things being unfinished or pending resolution.

outstanding items

Replaces "things" with "items" and "ongoing" with "outstanding", emphasizing that these are things that still need to be dealt with.

developing situations

Emphasizes that the situations are evolving and changing over time.

active developments

Highlights ongoing changes or improvements that are currently happening.

pending tasks

Focuses on tasks that have not yet been completed and are waiting to be done.

enduring challenges

Highlights the long-lasting and persistent nature of the challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "ongoing things" in a sentence?

You can use "ongoing things" to refer to current activities, projects, or situations that are in progress. For example: "We need to address the "ongoing things" in our project to ensure we meet our deadlines."

What are some alternatives to using "ongoing things"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "continuing matters", "current affairs", or "unresolved matters".

Is it grammatically correct to use "ongoing things" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "ongoing things" is grammatically correct, but consider using more specific alternatives like "active developments" or "pending tasks" in formal contexts to enhance clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "ongoing things" versus more formal language?

Use "ongoing things" in contexts where informality is acceptable. In professional or academic settings, it's preferable to use more precise language such as "continuous processes" or "outstanding items" to ensure clarity and professionalism.