Cool MateContinue vs Go on vs You were sayin'
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Continue
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Go on
Top 1,000 (very common)
You were sayin'
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
| Continue | Go on | You were sayin' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɡəʊ ɒn//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊ ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //jə wəː ˈseɪɪn//🇺🇸 //jə wɪər ˈseɪɪn// |
| Meaning | To keep doing something without stopping. | to continue doing something | A way to ask someone to repeat what they were saying. |
| Example | Please continue with your presentation after the break. | Please go on with your story. | You were sayin' that you plan to travel next month. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - | - |
| Part of speech | verb | ||
| Collocations | continue doing, continue with, continue on, continue to speak, continue until | go on talking, go on with life, go on a trip, go on a mission, go on stage | You were sayin' earlier, You were sayin' about, You were sayin' something, You were sayin' that |
| Antonyms | stop, cease, halt | stop, cease, halt | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Continue' followed by a noun instead of a gerund (e.g., 'continue the project' instead of 'continue doing the project'), Confusing 'continue' with 'resume' — 'resume' implies starting again after a pause, Using 'continue to' followed by an adjective (incorrect) instead of a verb (correct) | Using 'go on' with a direct object incorrectly., Confusing with 'go on with' — which has a different meaning., Incorrect use of verb forms after 'go on.' | Using in a formal context, Mispronouncing it as 'You were saying', Not using the contraction correctly |
| Usage notes | Use 'continue' when talking about ongoing actions or processes. It's neutral, so it's appropriate in most contexts, but can sound too formal in casual conversations. Avoid using in contexts where you're suggesting to start something new. | Used in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts. Common in informal conversations. | Use this phrase in casual conversations when you didn't hear someone or want them to continue their thought. It's not appropriate in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Continue vs Go on vs You were sayin'
What's the difference between Continue, Go on, and You were sayin'?
Continue: To keep doing something without stopping. Go on: to continue doing something You were sayin': A way to ask someone to repeat what they were saying.
Can you show an example of each?
Continue: Please continue with your presentation after the break. Go on: Please go on with your story. You were sayin': You were sayin' that you plan to travel next month.
Can I use Continue, Go on, and You were sayin' interchangeably?
Not always. Continue, Go on, and You were sayin' are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.