ongoing

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Still happening and not yet finished.

   Grammar: Usually before a noun: an ongoing investigation.

   Patterns

   • an ongoing process
   • ongoing work

   The police have an ongoing investigation into the theft.

   Repairs to the bridge are ongoing.

   We are in ongoing talks with the supplier.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Continuing without a fixed end, as a regular part of something.

   Grammar: Suggests something that continues over time: ongoing support.

   Patterns

   • ongoing support
   • ongoing costs

   Owning a car brings ongoing costs such as insurance.

   The course offers ongoing support for graduates.

   Learning a language is an ongoing effort.

Common combinations

ongoing investigation

The ongoing investigation has found new clues.

ongoing process

Healing is an ongoing process.

ongoing support

The company offers ongoing support to clients.

ongoing basis

We review prices on an ongoing basis.

ongoing problem

Flooding is an ongoing problem in the valley.

ongoing negotiations

Ongoing negotiations may still change the plan.

Synonyms and how they differ

continuing

Continuing is plain and can describe things that stop and start, while ongoing stresses a steady process.

current

Current describes something that exists now, not whether it will continue.

in progress

In progress follows a noun and is neutral, unlike ongoing which goes before it.

persistent

Persistent suggests something stubborn or hard to stop, often negative.

Opposites

Word family

go on verb

to continue

going noun

the act of leaving, or progress

ongoingly adverb

rare; continuously

Commonly confused: ongoing or ongoing?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “ongoing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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