Meaning & use
onward we go
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Used to say that we are continuing forward, either physically or in making progress.
Grammar: The subject 'we' comes after 'onward', which is unusual in English and gives the phrase a formal or dramatic tone.
Patterns
- onward we go
- onward we went
The bus left the station at dawn — onward we go to the next city.
After a short break, onward we go with the second part of the project.
Onward we go, step by step, until the work is finished.
Common combinations
- onward we go
- Onward we go, no matter how long the journey takes.
- onward we went
- Onward we went through the rain, determined to reach the camp.
- onward we go together
- Onward we go together, supporting each other.
Synonyms and how they differ
- let's move on
- More direct and conversational; it does not have the same dramatic or literary feel.
- forward we go
- Very similar in meaning and rhythm, but 'forward' is more about direction, while 'onward' often suggests progress.
Opposites
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Onward we go' is a fixed phrase with the subject after 'onward'. Option B is grammatical but changes the phrase and sounds less natural. C has the wrong word order, and D is missing the verb 'are'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “onward we go”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.