How to pronounce ongoing
Say it like ON-goh-ing. Ongoing has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ongoing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ON
- goh
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ongoing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- gohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of ongoing
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ON-goh-ing.
Other ways to say ongoing
Ongoing also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- AWN-goh-ing /ˈɔnˌɡoʊɪŋ/
What does ongoing mean?
- currently happening“an ongoing economic crisis”
Where does ongoing come from?
From on + going, related to the phrasal verb go on.
Questions about saying ongoing
How do you pronounce ongoing?
Say ON-goh-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑnˌɡoʊɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈɒnˌɡəʊɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ongoing?
Ongoing has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ON). Broken into parts: ON · goh · ing.
Is ongoing pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈɒnˌɡəʊɪŋ/ (ON-goh-ing).