he keeps doing it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he keeps doing it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who repeatedly engages in a particular action or behavior, often despite negative consequences or objections. Example: "Despite the warnings, he keeps doing it, and it's becoming a serious problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He keeps doing it.

The Guardian - Sport

But then he keeps doing it".

The New York Times

I hope he keeps doing it when I'm out there".

The New York Times - Sports

It may not work if he keeps doing it though.

The Guardian - Sport

I don't see how you top what he did last year, but we've said that for a couple of years, and he keeps doing it".

The New York Times - Sports

He keeps doing it, and every so often a card fills the screen, reading: "Why do I have this urge to do these things over and over again?" In the end, she submits, happily, in bed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

So why did he keep doing it?

Independent

So why does he keep doing it?

The New York Times - Books

Question is, can he keep doing it?

The New York Times

Despite the fact he had real technical problems, he kept doing it".

The New York Times

And the worst part of it was that he kept doing it on the birdie holes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he keeps doing it" when you want to emphasize the repetitive nature of an action, especially when the action is unexpected or undesirable. It's a versatile phrase suitable for many contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he keeps doing it" when a simple statement of action suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive or overly critical. Consider whether the persistence is truly relevant to the point you're making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he keeps doing it" functions as a clause within a sentence. It typically serves as the predicate, describing an action that a subject repeatedly performs. As Ludwig AI notes, it indicates a continuing or habitual action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he keeps doing it" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, employed to illustrate the recurring nature of an action, often against expectations or advice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its function in describing repetitive behaviors. While not extremely common, it is frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral register. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "he continues to do it". Using this phrase effectively can add emphasis to your writing, but be mindful of overusing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he continues to do it

A more formal and straightforward way of saying someone is doing something repeatedly.

he repeatedly does it

Highlights the repetition of the action without necessarily implying persistence.

he persists in doing it

Emphasizes the stubborn or determined nature of continuing the action.

he does it over and over

Emphasizes the frequency and iterative nature of the action.

he won't stop doing it

Implies a refusal or unwillingness to cease the action.

he keeps at it

A more concise way to express continued effort or persistence.

he's always doing it

Highlights the habitual nature of the action.

he has a habit of doing it

Focuses on the habitual aspect of the action, suggesting it's a regular behavior.

he's prone to doing it

Indicates a tendency or inclination towards performing the action.

he's addicted to doing it

Suggests a strong compulsion or dependence on performing the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he keeps doing it" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "he continues to do it" or "he persists in doing it". These options provide a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

What does "he keeps doing it" imply?

The phrase "he keeps doing it" implies that someone is repeatedly performing an action, often despite potential negative consequences, advice, or objections. It can suggest persistence, habit, or even stubbornness.

Is there a difference between "he keeps doing it" and "he continued doing it"?

"He keeps doing it" suggests a present or ongoing pattern of behavior. "He continued doing it" implies that the action occurred over a period in the past and may or may not still be happening. The former is habitual, the latter is durative.

What are some alternatives to "he keeps doing it" that emphasize the frequency of the action?

To emphasize frequency, consider alternatives like "he repeatedly does it" or "he does it over and over". These options directly highlight how often the action occurs.