Keep it going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Keep it going" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to encourage someone to continue with an activity or effort. Example: "You're doing great with your project; just keep it going!" Alternative expressions include "Keep it up" and "Carry on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Keep it going, then," Steen said.

The New York Times - Sports

Keep it going and going".

Los Angeles Times

Keep it going folks!

Huffington Post

"Keep it going, keep it going," someone shouts.

Vice

Keep it going Mr. President.

Huffington Post

Keep it going!" Or, "No, no no.

Vice

"Just keep it going".

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully I keep it going".

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully, we can keep it going".

The New York Times - Sports

Can we keep it going forever?

The New York Times

"I just need to keep it going.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports or competitive contexts, use it to signal that current tactics are working and should not be changed.

Common error

Avoid using "Keep it going" when someone has not yet started an action. This phrase implies motion is already occurring. If the action hasn't begun, use "get it going" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Keep it going" primarily functions as an imperative verb phrase used to command or encourage the continuation of an existing state or activity. According to Ludwig, it is composed of the transitive verb 'keep', the pronoun 'it' (serving as a placeholder for the activity), and the present participle 'going' acting as an object complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Keep it going" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct expression used to signal continuity. As evidenced by the extensive examples in Ludwig, it is a staple of journalistic writing, particularly when reporting on sports, politics, or social movements where momentum is a key theme. Ludwig AI notes that the phrase is almost exclusively used in contexts where an action has already reached a successful or desirable state and the speaker wishes for that state to persist. Whether used as a brief shout of encouragement or a directive in a scientific report to maintain an experiment, "Keep it going" remains one of the most reliable idiomatic constructions in modern English for expressing the concept of 'more of the same'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Keep it up

Specifically emphasizes maintaining a high standard of performance or behavior

Carry on

Often used as a standard British instruction to continue a task or conversation

Maintain the momentum

Focuses on the energy or speed behind an ongoing action

Continue

A more formal and direct verb indicating no cessation

Keep moving forward

Adds a sense of progress or directional advancement

Press on

Suggests continuing despite difficulties or obstacles

Stick with it

Highlights perseverance and commitment to a difficult task

Sustain the effort

Common in professional and scientific contexts regarding long-term projects

Don't stop

The negative imperative equivalent focusing on preventing a halt

Hold the course

Idiomatic expression for sticking to a plan without deviating

FAQs

How to use "Keep it going" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone encouragement like "You're doing great, "keep it going"!" or within a larger sentence such as "We need to "keep it going" for the next few hours."

What can I say instead of "Keep it going"?

Common alternatives include "keep it up", "carry on", or "press on" depending on how formal you want to be.

What's the difference between "Keep it going" and "Keep it up"?

While similar, "keep it up" often refers to a level of quality or success, whereas "Keep it going" refers more literally to the continuation of an action or process.

Is "Keep it going" appropriate for business writing?

Yes, but you might prefer "maintain the momentum" or "sustain progress" for a more professional tone.