Go off/ go on

Question

What is the difference between these two?

Philip · Accepted Answer

We need more context to tell for sure. However, the following comes to mind:

go on = continue [The speaker went on for too long.]

go off = explode [The bomb went off too soon, killing the one who set it.] [When he heard the news he just went off.]

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousWhat is the difference between these two?

Unless you can provide specific sentences in which these are giving you trouble, you'll have to do some dictionary work on your own. There are many meanings for both.

If an alarm goes off, it begins to sound. If a bomb goes off, it explodes.

If a light goes on, it begins to emit light. If it goes off, it stops emitting light.

If you go off to think about something, you leave the place where you were.

You go away. You go elsewhere.

If you are interrupted, you can later go on where you left off.

You are then continuing the process that was interrupted.

If you go on about something, you are talking about it at great length and probably boring others.

If you ask what's going on, you are asking what is happening.

...

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you

Go off/ go on

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