Using two same preposition together

Question

Is it correct?Tell me what it is which is going on on your mind right now.Thanks

Contraposition · Accepted Answer

Although I am not a native speaker, I'll try to reply.Probably,
it is correct.
To go on means 'to continue to happen or exist without changing.In the sentence, the first on is an adverb, not a preposition.

Sandy sandyjr · Answer

Rajesh i think you have to write in this way ............"Tell me, what is going on in your mind, right now."

BillJ · Answer

rajesh jainIs it correct?
Tell me what it is ~~which~~ that is going on on in your mind right now.

Firstly, the pronoun which is ungrammatical here; the pronoun that is correct; and secondly, the second on in your example should be in.

You certainly can have two adjacent prepositions. The expression going on is called a verbal idiom which here consists of the verb going and the preposition on with no complement + the preposition in with the noun phrase complement your mind.

Two preposition ons are possible, if we rejig your example slightly:

Tell me what it is that is going on on the top floor right now?

This is the same verbal idiom going on (again with no complement) + the preposition on with the noun phrase complement the top floor.

So, no problem with two adjacent prepositions, same or not.

Incidentally, an idiom is a combination of words whose meaning is not predictable from the meanings of the components, and a verbal idiom is an idiom beginning with a verb. If you'd like to know more about verbal idioms, you might want to post a further question.

Hope that helps.

BillJ

Using two same preposition together

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