Cool MateGo on vs You were sayin'
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Go on
Top 1,000 (very common)
You were sayin'
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Go onMost common: Go on
| Go on | You were sayin' | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡəʊ ɒn//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊ ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //jə wəː ˈseɪɪn//🇺🇸 //jə wɪər ˈseɪɪn// |
| Meaning | to continue doing something | A way to ask someone to repeat what they were saying. |
| Example | Please go on with your story. | You were sayin' that you plan to travel next month. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | 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 | - |
| 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.' | Using in a formal context, Mispronouncing it as 'You were saying', Not using the contraction correctly |
| Usage notes | 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: Go on vs You were sayin'
What's the difference between Go on and You were sayin'?
Go on: to continue doing something You were sayin': A way to ask someone to repeat what they were saying.
Which is more formal: Go on and You were sayin'?
Go on is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Go on and You were sayin'?
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 were sayin': You were sayin' that you plan to travel next month.
Can I use Go on and You were sayin' interchangeably?
Not always. 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.