Starting, Continuing, or Getting Closer (On): English Vocabulary List

to cause something to happen, especially something undesirable or unpleasant

"Stress can bring on serious illness."

"Eating too much sugar can bring on a headache for some people who are sensitive to it."

to continue with a task or activity, especially with determination or enthusiasm

"Crack on with your work."

"It is getting late so we should probably crack on with the work if we want to finish it today."

to continue for an extended or tedious period, often with no clear resolution or conclusion

"The meeting dragged on for hours."

"The boring meeting seemed to drag on forever without reaching any important decisions or conclusions."

to gradually invade a particular area, exceeding established boundaries

"Do not encroach on my land."

"The new shopping mall is encroaching on the protected forest land that is home to many endangered species of birds and animals."

to get closer to a person or thing that is being pursued, often in a race, competition, or chase

"The car gained on us."

"The blue car is gaining on the red car in front of it and may pass it before the finish line."

to continue an activity

"Go on with your presentation."

"Please go on with your presentation because we are all very interested in what you have to say."

to keep something with effort or determination

"Hang on to the railing securely."

"I decided to hang on to my grandmother's old jewelry box even though it is not worth much money."

to continue an action or state without interruption

"Keep on trying until you succeed."

"You need to keep on practicing if you want to get better at playing the piano."

to contribute to something happening in the future

"This leads on to another topic."

"His success in the small role led on to bigger opportunities and eventually he became a famous movie star."

to continue moving forward, despite obstacles or distractions

"We must press on despite difficulties."

"Despite the difficult weather conditions the explorers decided to press on toward their destination at the top of the mountain."

to persistently continue doing something or move forward

"Push on through the forest."

"Despite the difficult conditions the explorers decided to push on toward their destination instead of turning back."

to continue reading something to discover what happens next

"Read on to find out."

"She read on to the end of the chapter even though she was very tired because the story was so exciting."

to continue without a pause, often lasting longer than expected or needed

"The speech will run on."

"The presenter's fascinating lecture seemed to run on for hours, captivating everyone in the audience."

to continue moving forward despite obstacles, challenges, or difficulties

"Soldier on despite difficulties."

"Even though he was injured the soldier soldiered on and completed the mission with his unit."

to remain in a specific place, job, or program for a longer period

"Stay on the job."

"The manager asked the employee to stay on for a few extra months until a replacement could be found and trained."

to make something start working usually by flipping a switch

"He switches on the television please."

"Please switch on the lights when you enter the dark room so you do not trip over anything and hurt yourself accidentally."

(of a situation or issue) to continue for a long period of time without resolution

"The argument rumbled on for hours."

"The heated political debate rumbled on for hours without either side willing to compromise or give in to the other."

to take action to continue with a task or situation

"We will act on it."

"The committee decided to act on the recommendations presented in the report to improve efficiency."

to choose to continue an ongoing activity

"Carry on your work."

"Despite the setbacks, she decided to carry on with her research project."

to advance toward the end of a specific period of time

"The day will draw on."

"As the evening began to draw on, a sense of quiet anticipation filled the air."

to enter a bus, ship, airplane, etc.

"We will get on soon."

"Please get on the bus quickly because the driver is waiting and we need to leave on schedule for the field trip."

to approach or be close to a particular time or hour

"It will get on for midnight."

"The clock was ticking, and it was already getting on for three in the morning."

to continue without stopping

"The meeting goes on for hours."

"Please go on with your presentation because we are all very interested in what you have to say."

to continue a course of action despite the difficulties or dangers

"We must hold on."

"Despite overwhelming odds, the determined team resolved to hold on and complete the challenging project."

to remain alive

"They will live on."

"Despite the hardships, the resilient community managed to live on through sheer determination."

to cause a machine, device, or system to start working or flowing, usually by pressing a button or turning a switch

"Turn on the television please."

"Please turn on the lights because the room is very dark and I cannot see anything."