I kept tapping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I kept tapping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a repetitive action of tapping, often in the context of using a device or surface. Example: "While waiting for the bus, I kept tapping my foot on the ground to pass the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I kept tapping.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I actually kept tapping them to check if they were really rocks," one commenter wrote on the Park Slope Parents Web site.

The New Yorker

It just kept tapping away.

The New York Times

"They kept tapping on the window and saying, 'Designer, Designer!

The New York Times

People kept tapping Woodfox's shoulder, an experience he found frightening.

The New Yorker

His expression didn't change, but he kept tapping the fingers of his left hand lightly on the counter, like a pianist checking the keys.

The New Yorker

Then, when another member of the group allegedly told King to "leave her alone and move on", the footballer replied, "What, like this?" as he "kept tapping her on the head".

The Guardian

On the way down, we kept tapping our boots with our ice axes to dislodge the slush accumulating on our crampons.

Forbes

He kept tapping and also looked across to Josh in particular who had joined in by producing his own tapping sounds and moving his body side to side in rhythm.

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

Everyone was all excited for the product and when it finally launched everyone was like "Huh" and kept tapping at their iPhones.

TechCrunch

It kept tapping me on the shoulder.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I kept tapping" to describe a repetitive action you performed. Ensure the context clarifies what you were tapping and why. For example, "I kept tapping the screen, hoping the app would load."

Common error

Ensure clarity about what is being tapped. Vague usage can confuse the reader. Instead of just saying "I kept tapping", specify "I kept tapping my fingers on the table" for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I kept tapping" functions as a narrative description of a repeated or continuous action performed by the speaker. It showcases the speaker's ongoing engagement in the act of tapping something, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I kept tapping" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a repeated tapping action. Ludwig's analysis indicates it is versatile enough for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news, media, wiki, and scientific sources. While generally neutral, it is important to ensure clarity about the object being tapped to avoid ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is straightforward and effective for conveying continued action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I continued tapping

Replaces "kept" with "continued", emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of the tapping.

I repeatedly tapped

Substitutes "kept" with "repeatedly", stressing the recurrence of the action.

I persisted in tapping

Uses "persisted" to convey determination or insistence in the tapping action.

I maintained a tapping motion

Rephrases the action as maintaining a motion, suitable for describing a rhythmic or continuous tapping.

I wouldn't stop tapping

Expresses the action as an unwillingness or inability to cease tapping.

I went on tapping

A more informal way of saying "I continued tapping".

I proceeded to tap again and again

Highlights the sequential and iterative nature of the tapping.

My tapping continued

Shifts the focus to the tapping itself, rather than the actor.

The tapping from me persisted

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the persistence of the tapping.

I ceaselessly tapped

Uses "ceaselessly" to emphasize the uninterrupted nature of the tapping.

FAQs

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

Use "I kept tapping" to describe the repetitive action of tapping something. For example, "I kept tapping my pen against the desk while I was thinking".

What are some alternatives to "I kept tapping"?

You can use alternatives like "I continued tapping", "I repeatedly tapped", or "I persisted in tapping" depending on the context.

Is "I kept tapping" formal or informal?

"I kept tapping" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "I continued tapping".

What's the difference between "I kept tapping" and "I was tapping"?

"I was tapping" simply states the action was in progress. "I kept tapping" implies a continuation or repetition of the action. For example, "I was tapping my foot" indicates a single instance, while "I kept tapping my foot" means the tapping was repeated or sustained.