move on
2 meanings
start something new (a job, activity, or topic)
What does "move on" mean in this sense?
Examples
- We've covered the budget in detail, so let's move on to the marketing plan.
- The interviewer moved on to a completely different set of questions after the first round.
- Are you ready to move on, or do you need more time on this section?
How to use it
Used alone when the new topic or activity is already clear from context, especially in meetings and presentations.
We're running out of time, so let's move on.
Use 'to' to name the new topic, stage, or activity you are transitioning to.
The teacher asked the class to move on to the next exercise.
These fixed phrases are very common in spoken English to politely signal a transition.
Shall we move on to the final item on the agenda?
Use 'from' to name the topic or task you are leaving behind.
I think we've discussed the introduction enough — it's time to move on from it.
Often used with verbs or phrases that show willingness or readiness to transition.
Is everyone ready to move on to stage three of the project?
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
This phrasal verb has another meaning — emotionally recovering from a difficult experience. Make sure your context is clearly about switching topics or tasks, not personal feelings, to avoid misunderstandings.
'Go on' usually means to continue with the same thing, while 'move on' signals a clear shift to something new and different. They are not always interchangeable.
'Move on' cannot be split — you cannot place a noun or pronoun between 'move' and 'on' in this sense.
Usage
This phrasal verb is very common in professional and academic spoken English, especially in meetings, lessons, and presentations. It is neutral in register and works equally well in British and American English.
stop thinking about a difficult experience and continue with your life
Sense 2: What does "move on" mean?
Examples
- She knows it was a bad relationship, but she's finding it really hard to move on.
- It took him years, but he finally moved on from the loss of his father.
- Do you think you're ready to move on with your life?
How to use it
The most common form — used alone when the context already makes clear what the difficult experience was.
She's had a tough year, but her friends are glad to see her finally moving on.
Use 'from' when you want to specify what the person is leaving behind emotionally.
It took him a long time to move on from the failure of his first business.
Move on very commonly follows modal-like expressions that describe willingness or necessity.
I know it was a painful experience, but at some point you have to move on.
This fixed-phrase extension emphasises rebuilding a full life, not just recovering from one event.
After the divorce was finalised, she felt ready to move on with her life.
Use these patterns to describe difficulty in achieving emotional forward progress.
Even years later, he still struggles to move on from the way things ended.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
In this sense, 'move on' is intransitive — it cannot take a direct object. To specify what you are leaving behind, you must use 'move on from', not 'move on' followed directly by a noun or pronoun.
'Get over' focuses on the process of recovering from something and takes a direct object ('get over it'), while 'move on' emphasises forward progress after recovery and uses 'from' when an object is needed. They are related but not always interchangeable.
'Move on' has a completely separate meaning in structured discussions, where it means to change to the next topic or activity. If your sentence involves a meeting, lesson, or agenda, that is a different sense of the phrasal verb — not the emotional one.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English. When you want to specify what the difficult experience was, use 'move on from' followed by a noun (e.g. 'move on from the accident').
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'move on' always mean changing topics or tasks?
No — 'move on' has at least two other common meanings. It can mean emotionally recovering from a past relationship or difficult experience, or it can mean leaving a physical location (often when an authority figure tells someone to go). Context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.
Can I use 'move on' in formal writing, like an essay or report?
It is more natural in spoken English and in semi-formal contexts like meeting minutes or transcripts. In formal academic writing, a phrase like 'turning to the next point' or 'the following section addresses...' would be more appropriate. In everyday professional writing, 'move on' is perfectly fine.
Do I always need to say what I'm moving on to?
No — you can use 'move on' without mentioning the next topic if it is already clear from context. 'Let's move on' alone is very common and natural, especially in meetings and presentations when everyone can see the agenda or slides.
Is 'move on' used the same way in British and American English?
Yes — 'move on' in this transitional sense is equally common and natural in both British and American English. There is no significant regional difference in meaning or usage.
Can I say 'it was moved on' or use a passive form?
No — because 'move on' is intransitive in this sense, it cannot be used in the passive voice. There is no object that can become the subject of a passive sentence. You always need a person or group as the subject: 'We moved on to the next question.'
Does 'move on' always sound supportive, or can it seem rude?
It depends heavily on context and tone. When someone says 'I've finally moved on' about themselves, it sounds positive and empowering. But telling someone else to 'just move on' — especially soon after a painful event — can feel dismissive of their feelings. It's generally safer to phrase it as a gentle suggestion: 'Maybe it's time to start moving on?' rather than a blunt instruction.
What's the difference between 'move on' and 'let go'?
'Let go' focuses on releasing your emotional attachment to something painful — the act of stopping yourself from holding on. 'Move on' focuses on the forward momentum that follows — actively building something new. That's why the two phrases are so often used together: 'It's time to let go and move on.'
Can 'move on' be used in the passive, like 'it was moved on from'?
No — because 'move on' in this sense is intransitive (it has no object), it cannot be made passive. You can only use it with a subject who is doing the moving on: 'She moved on from it', not any passive equivalent.
Is 'move on from it' correct, or should I say 'move on from that'?
Both are correct — you can use 'it', 'that', 'them', or a full noun phrase after 'from'. For example: 'I'm trying to move on from it', 'I need to move on from what happened', or 'She moved on from the whole situation'. The pronoun simply goes inside the prepositional phrase, not between 'move' and 'on'.
Can I use 'move on' about things other than relationships?
Absolutely. While breakups and divorces are very common contexts, 'move on' works for any difficult personal experience — a professional setback, a missed opportunity, a falling-out with a friend, grief after a loss, or even long-held regret. The key idea is that the person is making a conscious choice to stop dwelling on the past.
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