Cool MateGo on vs You go then
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Go on
Top 1,000 (very common)
You go then
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Go onMost common: Go on
| Go on | You go then | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡəʊ ɒn//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊ ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //juː ɡəʊ ðɛn//🇺🇸 //ju ɡoʊ ðɛn// |
| Meaning | to continue doing something | A way to tell someone to leave or depart. |
| Example | Please go on with your story. | If you're done with your drink, you go then! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | go on talking, go on with life, go on a trip, go on a mission, go on stage | go now, go ahead, you go first |
| Antonyms | stop, cease, halt | - |
| Common mistakes | 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.' | Used in formal contexts where it may sound impolite., Confused with 'You go first' which has a different meaning., Incorrectly used as a complete sentence in written formal essays. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts. Common in informal conversations. | Used casually among friends or in informal settings. It may sound rude in formal situations. Best when encouraging someone to leave in a light-hearted way. |
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Frequently asked questions: Go on vs You go then
What's the difference between Go on and You go then?
Go on: to continue doing something You go then: A way to tell someone to leave or depart.
Which is more formal: Go on and You go then?
Go on is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Go on and You go then?
Go on is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Go on: Please go on with your story. You go then: If you're done with your drink, you go then!
Can I use Go on and You go then interchangeably?
Not always. Go on and You go then 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.