- Please continue speaking.
- Proceed with what you were saying or doing.
- Used to encourage someone to keep talking, often after an interruption or hesitation.
Explanation
Origin
- Simple imperative using the common phrasal verb go on, meaning to continue or proceed.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- And then? / And so?
- Don't leave me hanging! (When someone stops at a cliffhanger)
- Word? (AAVE can mean 'Really? Go on')
- Keep rolling. (Casual)
Vulgar/Emphatic (Expressing impatience):
- Get the fuck on with it!
- Spit it out already!
- Yeah, and? (Can be very abrupt/impatient)
Milder/More Encouraging:
- Please continue.
- I'd like to hear the rest.
- What happened next?
Situational Appropriateness
- Highly versatile. Appropriate in informal, semi-formal, and formal contexts.
- Tone is crucial: polite encouragement, neutral permission, or impatient demand.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally clear.
- The main potential misunderstanding relates to the *tone* and implied meaning (encouragement vs. impatience).
Examples
- (Speaker pauses) Listener: Go on, I'm interested.
- (After phone interruption) Sorry about that. Go on, what were you saying?
- Speaker: Are you sure this isn't boring you? Listener: Not at all! Go on.
Dialogue
Anna: So I told my boss that I thought the deadline was unrealistic, and he just stared at me, and then... (pauses, unsure)
Ben: And then what? Go on!
Anna: Well, then he actually agreed with me!
Social Media Examples
- Comment on a multi-part story post: This is gripping! Go on... #StoryTime #Part2
- Chat: User A: I started telling him about the problem, but then I got nervous. User B: It's okay. Go on.
Response Patterns
- The speaker usually resumes talking from where they left off.
- They might say, Okay, so... or Right, anyway... before continuing.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing Go on:
- The person who was interrupted or paused continues their story or explanation.
- The listener resumes listening.
Action:
- Speaker continues; listener listens.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Used mid-conversation to prompt continuation.
Intonation
- Typically neutral or encouraging. Stress usually on on. Go ON.
- Can have a slight upward lift to show encouragement or interest.
- Can sound impatient or dismissive if said sharply or curtly.
Generation Differences
- Used commonly by all generations.
Regional Variations
- Standard across all English-speaking regions.
- Carry on is a very frequent synonym, particularly in the UK and Commonwealth countries.