went on fighting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went on fighting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who continues to engage in a struggle or conflict despite challenges or difficulties. Example: "Even when the odds were against them, they went on fighting for their beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In other parts, men went on fighting.

The Economist

Dangerously isolated, she went on fighting.

The Guardian - Books

American soldiers and marines, stretched thin by the chaos, went on fighting a war that few thought would soon come to an end.

The New York Times

Most of the new money went on fighting the scourges on the list: HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and maternal and infant mortality.The growth in health-care aid has now slowed to less than half the rate of the early 2000s.

The Economist

Counting on courtsAl Gore went on fighting after two court decisions went against him in his bid to contest the result of the presidential vote-count in Florida.

The Economist

The novel's main thread is equally conciliatory: the true story of Rafael Sanchez Mazas, a falangist whom republican peasants saved from execution.In "Maquis", a history of the guerrilleros who went on fighting after 1939, Secundino Serrano describes a failed attempt to free a mountain valley when local people refused to co-operate.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

With a cut-glass accent and Vanessa Redgrave manner, she submits graciously to requests for photos, but is determined to go on fighting the good fight.

The Guardian - Travel

The people who live there and stay there and whose children will live there, they are the ones who can fix the country or go on fighting.

Vice

"And I'll go on fighting".

The New York Times - Sports

The company plans to go on fighting the legal case.

The Economist

We'd send Assad a clear message, and then we'd step back and let them go on fighting.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a prolonged conflict or struggle, use "went on fighting" to emphasize the continuation of effort despite challenges.

Common error

Instead of saying "the war went on being fought", use the active voice: "they went on fighting the war". This makes your writing more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went on fighting" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of an action, specifically combat or struggle. Ludwig examples show it used to describe soldiers continuing a war or individuals persisting in a cause.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "went on fighting" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the continuation of a struggle or combat, even when facing challenges. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is valid and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, primarily within news and media contexts. Alternative phrases such as "continued the fight" or "persisted in fighting" can be used to convey similar meanings. Remember to avoid passive voice constructions for clearer and more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued the fight

Replaces "went on" with "continued", emphasizing the unbroken sequence of fighting.

persisted in fighting

Highlights the determination and stubbornness involved in continuing to fight.

kept fighting

A more concise and informal way of saying "went on fighting".

carried on fighting

Emphasizes maintaining momentum in the fight.

fought relentlessly

Shifts focus to the intensity and persistence of the fighting.

battled onward

Implies a forward direction and continued engagement in battle.

struggled forward

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in continuing the fight.

remained in combat

Focuses on the sustained presence in a combat situation.

maintained resistance

Emphasizes the act of resisting and not giving up.

pressed the attack

Focuses on the offensive aspect of continuing to fight.

FAQs

What does "went on fighting" mean?

The phrase "went on fighting" means to continue engaging in a struggle or conflict, typically despite facing difficulties or opposition.

What can I say instead of "went on fighting"?

You can use alternatives like "continued the fight", "persisted in fighting", or "kept fighting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "continued to fight" instead of "went on fighting"?

Yes, "continued to fight" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "went on fighting". Both phrases convey the idea of persisting in a struggle.

What's the difference between "went on fighting" and "fought relentlessly"?

"Went on fighting" simply indicates the continuation of a fight, while "fought relentlessly" emphasizes the intensity and persistence of the fighting, suggesting a more vigorous and determined effort.