only going on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only going on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening or continuing, often in a limited or specific context. Example: "I thought the meeting was going to last all day, but it was only going on for an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

I was surprised how little people asked me how I felt at the time, yet they say, 'How's your wife?' The assumption was that the pain was only going on with her, not with me, and I felt very vulnerable as a man talking about a 'woman's' issue.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As if they were stage directions, he informs us where the act of writing is taking place - often on planes ("I'm only going on like this because we're on the verge of taking off"), at his desk in Holland Park, in hotel rooms in Barbados or Athens or New York.

The Guardian - Books

"Yeah, I think it's only going on week seven or eight since we submitted it to Apple for review, too," said Galic.

TechCrunch

2013 and we still got bullsh*t like this not only going on but still being accepted and even praised.

Huffington Post

To be honest, this year will be my first one, so I'm really only going on what survivors of past events have told me, through floods of real tears and broken teeth.

Vice

But actually, I am only going on John Kerry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It can only go on one way; you can't accidentally reverse it like ATA cables in old days; it has an "L" shape to prevent this.

WikiHow

"The label will only go on to about one-fifth of their products".

The New York Times

Hansberry only went on to write one further play, dying of cancer in 1965 when she was just 35.

The Guardian

I can only go on preseason.

The New York Times - Sports

Tickets to the performance only go on sale Aug.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only going on" to emphasize that an event or action is currently happening and, often, that it is limited in scope or duration. This adds a subtle nuance to your writing, indicating awareness of the present state.

Common error

Avoid using "only going on" when you intend to describe a future or past event. This phrase is most effective when referring to something currently in progress. Incorrect: "The sale was only going on yesterday." Correct: "The sale is only going on today."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only going on" functions as a present continuous construction indicating an action or state that is currently in progress and limited in some way. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

29%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only going on" is a grammatically correct present continuous construction used to emphasize the ongoing, and often limited, nature of an event or situation. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is suitable for use across various contexts, with a slight inclination towards news and media sources. When using the phrase "only going on", keep in mind that it's best applied to actions that are currently taking place. Remember to consider the alternatives, such as "merely continuing" and "just proceeding", to fine-tune the nuance of your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely continuing

Focuses on the continuation aspect, emphasizing the simplicity or lack of additional factors.

merely unfolding

Highlights the continuation aspect, emphasizing the simplicity or lack of additional factors.

just proceeding

Highlights the action of moving forward without adding extra emphasis.

just transpiring

Highlights the action of moving forward without adding extra emphasis.

solely happening

Emphasizes that something is happening exclusively in a specific way or location.

solely proceeding

Emphasizes that something is happening exclusively in a specific way or location.

exclusively occurring

Similar to 'solely happening' but uses more formal language.

exclusively happening

Similar to 'solely happening' but uses more formal language.

purely unfolding

Suggests a natural and unadulterated process of development.

simply transpiring

Highlights the uncomplicated nature of an event taking place.

FAQs

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

Use "only going on" to indicate that something is currently happening or continuing, often in a limited or specific context. For example, "The promotion is "only going on" this week."

What can I say instead of "only going on"?

You can use alternatives like "merely continuing", "just proceeding", or "solely happening" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "only going on" or "only went on"?

"Only going on" refers to a present or ongoing action, while "only went on" refers to a past action. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the timing of the event.

What's the difference between "only going on" and "just happening"?

"Only going on" suggests a limited time frame or specific condition for the event, whereas "just happening" simply indicates that something is occurring without emphasizing any limitations.