went on to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went on to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something happened after another event. For example, "He graduated university and went on to pursue a career in law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He went on to become a monk.

The New Yorker

Rockefeller went on to be vice president.

The New York Times

A third went on to become CEOs.

Forbes

They went on to win.

The New York Times - Sports

He went on to lose.

Independent

Armstrong went on to win that Tour.

The New York Times - Sports

Rusev went on to win the match.

Independent

(He went on to win Maine).

The New York Times

The commercials went on to win awards.

The New York Times - Magazine

Arsenal went on to draw 1-1.

Independent

He went on to write six sequels.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went on to" to clearly indicate a chronological sequence of actions or events, especially when the second action is a result or consequence of the first.

Common error

Avoid using "went on to" if there isn't a clear connection between the initial action and the subsequent one. Ensure the sequence makes logical sense; otherwise, use a different connective phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went on to" functions as a transitive verb phrase, connecting two events in a chronological sequence. It indicates that one action followed another, often implying a progression or consequence. Ludwig's examples show it used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went on to" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate a sequence of actions or events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While primarily used to narrate chronological order, it's crucial to ensure a logical connection between the events described. Alternatives like "proceeded to" or "continued to" can offer nuanced variations. Remember to avoid implying causation without sufficient evidence. This phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceeded to

Focuses more on the action of moving forward or continuing.

continued to

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the subsequent action.

moved on to

Emphasizes a change of focus or topic.

then did

Provides a simpler, more direct way to express the sequence of events.

later did

Highlights the passage of time before the next action.

subsequently did

More formal way to express that something followed another action.

followed by

Emphasizes the order of actions in a more structured way.

afterward did

Similar to 'later did' but can imply a more significant time gap.

thereafter did

More formal and less common than 'afterward did'.

accomplished next

Highlights a specific achievement and its position in a sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "went on to" in a sentence?

Use "went on to" to connect two events in chronological order, indicating what happened after something else. For example, "She graduated from college and "went on to" become a doctor."

What are some alternatives to "went on to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "proceeded to", "continued to", or "moved on to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "went on to" when there is no direct cause-and-effect relationship?

While "went on to" implies a sequence, it doesn't necessarily denote causation. However, ensure the connection between the events is logical. If there's no apparent connection, consider using a different transitional phrase.

Can "went on to" be used to describe future events?

Yes, "went on to" can be used to describe events that are expected to happen in the future, especially when outlining a plan or prediction. For instance, "After this phase, the project "will go on to" the implementation stage."