go on

To keep doing something after you have started it.

• Please go on reading.
• She went on working until midnight.
• Can we go on with the lesson?

How to use it: go on doing something (He went on reading after dinner.); go on with something (Please go on with your work.)

Similar words: continue, carry on

Opposites: stop

Common phrases: go on talking, go on working, go on with something

If something is happening, it is taking place at that moment.

• What is going on?
• Something strange went on last night.
• Do you know what goes on in that office?

Similar words: happen, occur

Common phrases: go on upstairs, go on outside

To keep doing something, even after a pause or when it is difficult.

• I cannot go on working.
• They went on with their game after lunch.
• Will she go on living there?

How to use it: go on doing something (They went on playing despite the rain.); go on with something (We can go on with the lesson now.)

Similar words: continue, carry on

Opposites: stop

Common phrases: go on living, go on working, go on with something

You say this to ask someone to keep telling you something.

• Go on, tell me more.
• “Go on,” I said as she stopped speaking.
• Go on; how did you meet him?

Similar words: keep talking, continue

Common phrases: please go on, go on please

To do something else after finishing an earlier activity or stage of your life.

• He went on to become a doctor.
• After discussing costs, we went on to choose a date.
• Will the winner go on to compete abroad?

How to use it: go on to do something (She finished school and went on to train as a nurse.)

Similar words: proceed to

Common phrases: go on to study, go on to win

To talk about something for a long time, often annoying other people.

• He goes on about money.
• She went on for hours about her holiday.
• Why do you keep going on at me?

How to use it: go on about something (He keeps going on about his new car.); go on at someone (She went on at me about the mess.)

Similar words: ramble, talk endlessly

Common phrases: go on about something, go on endlessly

You say this to invite someone to continue speaking.

• Go on, I am listening.
• Go on; what happened next?
• “Go on,” she said when he paused.

Similar words: keep talking, continue

Common phrases: go on please, please go on

You say this when you find something surprising or hard to believe.

• Go on! You won a car?
• “Go on!” she cried. “You cannot be serious.”
• Go on! Did he really ask you that?

Similar words: no way, really

Common phrases: oh go on, go on really