intransitive phrasal verb expressing continuation, prompting further speech, or asking for clarification.

to request that something continues (e.g., a story), to inquire about ongoing events, or to urge the speaker onward.

during presentations when speakers ask 'Can I go on?', after interruptions when someone says 'What's going on?', or when urging conversation to continue.

formal and informal conversations, meetings, lectures, interviews, everyday dialogue where narrative flow is needed.

go on

go on

gerund indicating the activity to continue (talking, reading, working).

• please
• for hours
• forever
• what's happening/going on
• the show must go on.

• continue
• carry on
• happen.

using 'go on' with an infinitive verb phrase such as 'go on to do', which implies a next action rather than continuation; also misplacing it in contexts where 'continue' is clearer.

carry on, keep on, go ahead – all convey encouragement but differ slightly in tone or formality.

Some speakers from languages that use prepositions may mistakenly say 'continue on' instead of simply using 'continue'; be aware this can sound redundant.

• ongoing
• goings-on

'Go on' often carries mild impatience when used impatiently (e.g., 'just go on already!') while still encouraging the speaker to continue.

It signals a desire for narrative progression and prompts listeners to speak longer or more clearly.

What's going on?

This chunk serves multiple functions and can be used to continue an activity, ask for more information, or express slight impatience. It is versatile and common in both formal and informal contexts.

go on to do/say something – moving beyond mere continuation to specifying what will happen next.