Words / B2

ONG-oh-ing/ˈɒnɡəʊɪŋ/

Ongoing means still in progress: an ongoing investigation, ongoing talks, ongoing support. Continuing is a close twin; finished is the opposite. In news, ongoing is a stock adjective. In speech, still going on is enough. Do not use ongoing for a one-off meeting that has ended, and some editors dislike it as padding — pair it with a real noun (investigation, dispute), not “ongoing situation” if you can name the situation.

Meaning

Continuing; not yet finished.

Examples

• “There is an ongoing investigation into the data breach.”
• “Police said the investigation was ongoing and named no suspects.”
• “Ongoing maintenance will close one lane until March.”

Good to know

an ongoing + process noun. Everyday: still going on. Close: continuing. Avoid empty “ongoing situation” if you can be specific.

Near in meaning

continuing

New