Phrasal Verb: Go On / Hold On

Go on and hold on are two short but essential English phrasal verbs used constantly in daily conversation. This lesson explains both clearly. Go on means to continue doing something, often used to encourage someone to keep talking or acting, as in please, go on with your story. Hold on means to wait for a short time, commonly used when asking someone to pause briefly, as in hold on, I'll be ready in a minute. Both phrasal verbs are extremely common in spoken English and appear in casual conversations, phone calls, and everyday interactions. Go on invites continuation, while hold on requests a brief pause, making them nearly opposite in function despite both being short, simple phrases. Learning these two together helps you manage the flow of a conversation naturally, whether you need someone to keep talking or need a moment yourself. Practice using both in real conversations to make them feel natural.