Jose Carillo's English Forum

English Grammar and Usage Problems => Badly Written, Badly Spoken => Topic started by: Miss Mae on December 16, 2013, 08:44:48 PM

Title: Ongoing vs. On Going
Post by: Miss Mae on December 16, 2013, 08:44:48 PM
In my work online, I have a colleague who describes the tasks she is still doing to be “on going.” I had wanted to call her attention right when she had started doing that, but stopped myself thinking I should do more than look for the said word in an online dictionary. Unfortunately, my plan got postponed again and again until such time that another one of my colleagues started labeling the assignments she is still working on as "on going," too. Would I be right to prevent them from doing so again?
Title: Re: Ongoing vs. On Going
Post by: Joe Carillo on December 17, 2013, 09:22:05 AM
Tell them that the phrase "on going" doesn't exist in the English lexicon. The correct word is "ongoing," which means "being actually in process" or "continuously moving forward." If by any chance they don't believe you, suggest that they simply check with any reputable English dictionary. Assure them that they will be doing themselves a great favor by shifting to the correct "ongoing" before the start of New Year 2014.
Title: Re: Ongoing vs. On Going
Post by: Miss Mae on December 17, 2013, 12:26:28 PM
That's a good idea! Thank you.