to get going

USAGE SUMMARY

"to get going" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to start or to begin an activity or task. Example: "It's time to get going on our group project. Let's divide up the work and start brainstorming ideas." In this sentence, "get going" is used to indicate that it is time to start working on the project. Other possible uses of "get going" could include: - "We need to get going soon if we want to make it to the concert on time." - "I find it hard to get going in the morning without a cup of coffee." - "Let's get going on our weekly report before the deadline creeps up on us." Overall, "to get going" is a versatile phrase that can be used in many different contexts to indicate the start or beginning of an activity or task.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's time to get going.

The New York Times - Sports

"Pau's got to get going.

The New York Times - Sports

Matt's going to get going".

The New York Times - Sports

Andrew's got to get going.

The New York Times - Sports

It's hard to get going.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, I need to get going".

The New Yorker

The guys wanted to get going.

The New Yorker

"We need to get going," Sinkler said.

The New Yorker

A reluctance to get going at all.

The New Yorker

Some poor countries fail to get going.

The Economist

I really have to get going.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to get going" when you want to encourage someone to start an activity or when indicating the beginning of a process. It's versatile and suitable for many contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to get going" excessively in highly formal writing. While acceptable in many situations, opting for alternatives such as "to commence" or "to initiate" may better suit the tone and style of formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to get going" primarily functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the commencement or initiation of an action or activity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to get going" is a commonly used and grammatically sound infinitive phrase that signifies the commencement or initiation of an action. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to encourage action or express the need to begin a task. While versatile and suitable for various contexts, from News & Media to everyday conversations, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or highly professional settings. Understanding its purpose and register will help you use "to get going" effectively in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to get underway

This alternative emphasizes the process of starting and progressing.

to start acting

This option focuses on the initiation of an action or behavior.

to commence action

This alternative uses more formal language to convey the start of an activity.

to set about doing

This suggests a determined start to a task or activity.

to initiate activity

This option is more formal and emphasizes the act of initiating something.

to begin moving

This phrase implies initiating movement or progress.

to launch into action

Implies an energetic and immediate start.

to kick off proceedings

This idiom is typically used to describe the beginning of a formal event or process.

to embark on a task

This phrase conveys a sense of starting a new or challenging endeavor.

to jumpstart efforts

This suggests a quick and effective beginning to overcome initial inertia.

FAQs

How can I use "to get going" in a sentence?

You can use "to get going" to indicate the start of an activity, like in the sentence, "It's time "to get going" on the project."

What are some alternatives to "to get going"?

You can use alternatives such as "to commence action", "to start acting", or "to get underway" depending on the context.

Is "to get going" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "to initiate activity" or "to embark on a task".

What's the difference between "to get going" and "to start"?

"To start" is a more general term for beginning an activity. "To get going" often implies initiating something after a period of inactivity or delay, suggesting a renewed effort or momentum.