Go on
Used as encouragement to continue speaking or doing something
Common pattern: Go on! (standalone encouragement)
go on, tell me
go on, try it
go on then
go on, ask her
oh, go on!
Go on, tell me what happened! ✅ (Correct — used as a standalone command, never takes a direct object)
Go it on, tell me what happened! ❌ (Incorrect)
To take place or occur, especially when describing or asking about a situation happening right now
Common pattern: go on (often as a question or ongoing situation)
what's going on?
something is going on
a lot is going on
find out what's going on
going on behind the scenes
Something strange is going on in the office. ✅ (Correct)
Something strange is going in the office on. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)
To continue (an action)
Common pattern: go on + gerund (verb-ing)
go on talking
go on working
go on complaining
he went on and on
go on for hours
She goes on working even when she's exhausted. ✅ (Correct)
She goes working even when she's exhausted on. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)