goes, went, gone, going

to go on
phrasal verbC

To happen or occur, often unexpectedly
  • 1I don't know what's going on over there.
  • 2There was a lot going on at the party.
"To go on" means something is happening or occurring, usually without warning. It can refer to events, situations, or actions that are happening at a particular moment. For example, a party can go on late into the night.
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Remember, "to go on" is often used in informal situations. It's not typically used in formal writing or professional settings. Stick to "happen" or "occur" in those contexts.
in an academic setting
Unplanned Classroom Event
Rebecca
I was waiting for the class to start, but something seemed off.
Jeffrey
Yeah, I heard there was an issue with the projector.
Rebecca
Oh, that explains it. I was wondering what was going on.
Jeffrey
Hopefully, they fix it soon so we can begin.
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Similar to "to go on":
  • 1happen
  • 2occur