ongoing
gb/ˈɔŋɡˌoʊɪŋ/ us/ˈɔŋɡˌoʊɪŋ/
B1
English
~ 4200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Continuing to happen
Happening now and not finished.
Usage pattern:
[ongoing] [event/process/discussion]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ongoing' with 'oncoming'; 'oncoming' means approaching, not continuing.
Synonyms
continuing (Very close in meaning; emphasizes that something has not stopped.)
|
persistent (Suggests something continuing for a long time, sometimes undesirably.)
Antonyms
completed (Indicates that something has finished and is no longer happening.)
|
interrupted (Indicates that something has been stopped temporarily or suddenly.)
Collocations
ongoing investigation
|ongoing project
|ongoing discussion
|ongoing conflict
|ongoing process
Themes
daily life
|business
|news
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The ongoing investigation will take several more weeks.
- There is an ongoing debate about climate change policies.
- She is involved in an ongoing project at work.
- The ongoing conflict has displaced thousands of people.
- We appreciate your patience during the ongoing repairs.
Learner examples
- The ongoing meeting will finish at 3 p.m.
- There is an ongoing problem with the internet.
- He works on an ongoing project.
- The ongoing rain made it hard to play outside.
- We are part of an ongoing study.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ongoing
IPA
GB/ˈɔŋɡˌoʊɪŋ/
US/ˈɔŋɡˌoʊɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
on - go - ing (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (on)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ongoing
Word family
Core family
Related words
continual
adjective B2
continually
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
discontinue
verb B2
discontinuous
adjective
Expressions
ongoing basis
1/ˈɔŋɡˌoʊɪŋ bˈeɪsɪs/
fixed phrase
Happening regularly over time
Happening again and again over a period of time.
Examples
- We check the equipment on an ongoing basis to ensure safety.
- She receives training on an ongoing basis to keep her skills up to date.
ongoing investigation
1/ˈɔŋɡˌoʊɪŋ ɪnvˌɛstəɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Investigation still happening
An investigation that has started but is not finished yet.
Examples
- Police confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into the case.
- Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be shared.
ongoing process
1/ˈɔŋɡˌoʊɪŋ pɹˈɑsˌɛs/
fixed phrase
Process that continues over time
A process that is still happening and not finished.
Examples
- Learning a language is an ongoing process.
- The city's development is an ongoing process that will take years.