I kept leaving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I kept leaving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a repeated action of departing or going away, often implying a sense of frustration or inevitability. Example: "Every time we had a disagreement, I kept leaving the room to cool off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"So I kept leaving and coming back to my mom's house and fighting again".

The New York Times

No matter how often she pointed it out, I kept leaving that sponge in a puddle.

The New York Times - Style

I kept leaving the club behind me but I've done a few things this week to correct it.

Independent

I kept leaving messages, until finally I reached a man who told me to put the bird back.

The New York Times

"For some reason, I kept leaving every putt just a few inches short when I shot the 72," Ogilvy said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When I was watching, it kept leaving words out".

The New York Times - Magazine

Also, there's a misconception that I keep leaving.

Huffington Post

I had trouble at the first and the second and then I just kept leaving myself the wrong side of the hole on the front nine.

BBC

"He tells me to take any shot when I'm open". Oklahoma kept leaving him open.

The New York Times - Sports

I wondered why she kept leaving the room during my son's examination.

HuffPost

"And I thought: 'Well there's this big brain floating around all night.' It amazed me that everybody kept leaving and I just thought it was wrong".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I kept leaving" to express a recurring action of departing, often implying a sense of frustration, indecision, or a lack of resolution in a situation. It's particularly effective when highlighting a repeated pattern of behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "I kept leaving" without providing sufficient context. Ensure the reader understands why you repeatedly left and the implications of your actions. Without context, the phrase can sound aimless or irresponsible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I kept leaving" primarily functions as a narrative device to describe a repeated action or behavior. It emphasizes the iterative nature of the departure, highlighting a pattern of leaving and returning or simply repeated departures. This is validated by the provided examples, where Ludwig showcases sentences describing repeated departures from various situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I kept leaving" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a repeated action of departing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a pattern of behavior, often implying frustration or indecision. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various narratives. To enhance clarity, ensure sufficient context is provided when using this phrase. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, you can effectively communicate repeated departures in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I repeatedly departed

Emphasizes the act of leaving as a formal departure that occurred more than once.

I persistently walked away

Highlights the act of walking away as a consistent behavior.

I continually withdrew

Focuses on the act of removing oneself from a situation, suggesting a sense of retreat.

I regularly abandoned the situation

Emphasizes the act of leaving something or someone behind on a consistent basis.

I frequently exited

Highlights the act of exiting as a consistent behavior.

I consistently absented myself

Stresses the act of not being present and doing it on a consistent basis.

I habitually bailed out

Suggests a pattern of escaping from difficult situations.

I perpetually took off

Highlights the continuous and indefinite nature of departing.

I incessantly retreated

Emphasizes the act of going back or withdrawing from a place or situation without stopping.

I always made an exit

Highlights the fact that on every occasion there was a departure made by the speaker.

FAQs

What does "I kept leaving" mean?

The phrase "I kept leaving" signifies a repeated action of departing from a place or situation. It suggests a pattern of behavior where the speaker left multiple times, often implying a reason behind these repeated departures.

How can I use "I kept leaving" in a sentence?

You can use "I kept leaving" to describe a situation where you repeatedly departed. For example, "I kept leaving the party because I felt uncomfortable" or "I kept leaving messages, hoping for a response".

What are some alternatives to "I kept leaving"?

Alternatives include "I repeatedly departed", "I persistently walked away", or "I continually withdrew". Consider using "I repeatedly departed" if you want to emphasize the formal act of leaving or "I persistently walked away" to highlight the consistent nature of your departure.

Is it correct to say "I kept to leave" instead of "I kept leaving"?

No, "I kept to leave" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "I kept leaving", which uses the gerund form of the verb "leave" to indicate a continuous or repeated action. The phrase "I kept leaving" indicates that there was a repeated departure that occurred over time.