Phrasal verbs "go back" vs "go on to"

Differences between go back and go on to

Go back means to return to a previous place or situation, while go on to means to continue or proceed to the next thing.

Meanings and Definitions: go back vs go on to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Go back

• 1. Have a long history.

  He and I GO BACK a long way- we were at school together.

• 2. Return to, start doing something again.

  We WENT BACK to work after the break.

Go on to

• 1. Proceed.

  We had dinner and WENT ON TO a few bars.

Usage Examples: go back, go on to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

go back

Example

After the vacation, we had to go back to school.

Example

She goes back to her hometown every summer.

go on to

Example

After finishing my homework, I will go on to reading my favorite book.

Example

She finishes her chores and then goes on to her homework.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Go back

return to

To go back to a previous place or situation.

Example

I need to return to my hometown to take care of some family matters.

revisit

To go back to a previous experience or memory.

Example

She decided to revisit her childhood home to relive some happy memories.

turn back the clock

To return to a previous time or era.

Example

If I could turn back the clock, I would have made different choices in my life.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Go on to

move on to

To proceed to the next thing or topic.

Example

After discussing the first point, let's move on to the second one.

advance to

To progress to a higher level or position.

Example

After completing the training program, she was able to advance to a higher position in the company.

proceed with

To continue doing something that has already been started.

Example

Despite the challenges, we decided to proceed with the project and see it through to completion.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “go”

• go ahead with
• go before
• go back on
• go ahead
• go with

Phrasal Verbs with “back”

• roll back
• plough back
• ring back
• pay back
• step back

Phrasal Verbs with “on to”

• cling on to
• latch on to
• pass on to
• hold on to
• get on to

Differences in go back vs go on to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: go back or go on to?

Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but go on to is slightly more common than go back. This is because go on to is used in a wider range of situations, such as continuing a conversation or moving on to the next topic.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of go back and go on to

Go back and go on to are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, go on to can be used in more formal settings like presentations or speeches to transition to the next point.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of go back and go on to

The tone of go back and go on to can differ based on context. Go back often carries a nostalgic or regretful tone when referring to returning to a past situation, while go on to typically has a confident and forward-looking tone, especially when referring to progressing to the next step.

go back & go on to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Go back

Synonyms

• return
• revert
• retrace
• revisit
• resume
• recommence
• reassume
• retake

Antonyms

• depart
• leave
• exit
• abandon
• quit
• desert
• forsake

Go on to

Synonyms

• proceed
• continue
• advance
• progress
• pursue
• move on
• carry on
• press on

Antonyms

• stop
• halt
• cease
• pause
• discontinue
• end
• quit
• terminate