[General] gerund or infinitive after "go on"?

Status
Not open for further replies.

vil

Key Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Bulgarian
Home Country
Bulgaria
Current Location
Bulgaria
Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to explain to me the usage of gerund or infinitive after “go on” in the sentences bellow?

When we invited dinner we went on talking.
“These events”, the speaker went on to say….
Al-Mufti went on to say: "Unfortunately, there are those that are trying hard to restore the old system of government in Iraq.

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.
 

corum

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Hungarian
Home Country
Hungary
Current Location
Hungary
Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to explain to me the usage of gerund or infinitive after “go on” in the sentences bellow?

When we invited dinner we went on talking.
“These events”, the speaker went on to say….
Al-Mufti went on to say: "Unfortunately, there are those that are trying hard to restore the old system of government in Iraq.

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

go on to = start a new activity
go on doing = you stopped ... and you resume the activity after a short break:

First I provide the definitions then I will go on to give you some example sentences.
Go on reading -- do not stop.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vil

sarat_106

Key Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Oriya
Home Country
India
Current Location
India
Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to explain to me the usage of gerund or infinitive after “go on” in the sentences bellow?

(When we )Having invited to dinner we went on talking. (keep on talking)
“These events”, the speaker went on to say….
Al-Mufti went on to say: "Unfortunately, there are those that are trying hard to restore the old system of government in Iraq. (proceed to say)


Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

Both gerund and infinitive can follow ‘go on’ with little difference in meaning. With a gerund it means keep on doing something without any break while an infinitive means proceed with something and complete.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vil
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top