it keeps stopping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it keeps stopping" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is repeatedly halting or failing to continue functioning properly. Example: "I don't know what's wrong with my computer; it keeps stopping every few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It keeps stopping, starting, and scrolling back.

The New Yorker

It keeps stopping you, here, then here, then here.

The New York Times - Arts

HINT: If your margins aren't working, and it keeps stopping in the middle of the paper, hit "mar rel" short for margin release, every time it stops.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But no matter how Stanton rejiggered the subplot it kept stopping the movie: there was no emotional payoff.

The New Yorker

We had no announcements about why the train was so delayed or why it kept stopping.

BBC

Anyway, I keep stopping.

The New York Times

He has since had trouble sleeping and keeps stopping during training runs.

The New York Times - Sports

"I remember them calling me and saying, 'Mom, Papa keeps stopping at green lights,' " Stabler Moyes said.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, Arnez appeared oblivious to how close she was cutting it; she kept stopping and looking.

The New York Times - Sports

"He kept stopping it and booking people and telling people to stop it.

BBC

"He's so raw and completely open to sharing every emotion this character has," Roberts told EW. "I was telling him at dinner tonight, when I watched it I had to keep stopping and saying, 'Okay, this is not actually happening to Javier.' Because it's his face and his big eyes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it keeps stopping", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "the video keeps stopping" instead of just "it keeps stopping".

Common error

Avoid using "it keeps stopping" repeatedly without clarifying what "it" refers to. This can confuse the reader. Vary your sentence structure and provide specific details about the subject that is stopping.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it keeps stopping" functions as a verb phrase expressing a continuous or repeated action. The verb 'keeps' indicates repetition, while 'stopping' describes the action that is repeatedly occurring. Ludwig provides examples that show how the expression is generally used in news to describe movies, trains, or even people's actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it keeps stopping" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a recurring interruption or cessation of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable in written English and effectively communicates a sense of something repeatedly failing to function correctly. While contexts range from news and media to wikis and scientific texts, ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. For enhanced clarity, consider alternatives like "it repeatedly pauses" or "it stops intermittently". Remember to use the phrase judiciously, varying sentence structure for improved readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it stops intermittently

Alters the order of words, but preserves meaning

it repeatedly pauses

Substitutes "stopping" with "pauses" maintaining the meaning of temporary cessation.

it halts repeatedly

Replaces "stopping" with a more formal synonym and "keeps" with "repeatedly".

it frequently cuts out

Implies a sudden and unexpected cessation.

it intermittently ceases

Uses more formal language to describe the intermittent nature of the stopping.

it is constantly interrupted

Switches to a passive voice construction, focusing on the interruption

it continually interrupts

Focuses on the interrupting nature of the cessation, rather than the cessation itself.

it often breaks down

Suggests a more permanent cessation due to malfunction.

it stutters frequently

Suggests irregular and short stops, more fitting for a continuous process like audio or video.

it regularly malfunctions

Highlights the regularity of the failing, suggesting a fault.

FAQs

What does "it keeps stopping" mean?

The phrase "it keeps stopping" means that something is repeatedly halting or failing to continue functioning correctly. The subject of the sentence pauses and restarts, or fails to complete its function.

What can I say instead of "it keeps stopping"?

You can use alternatives like "it repeatedly pauses", "it halts repeatedly", or "it stops intermittently" depending on the context.

Is "it keeps stopping" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it keeps stopping" is grammatically correct. The verb "keeps" is used to indicate a repeated action, and "stopping" is the present participle form of the verb "stop".

When is it appropriate to use "it keeps stopping"?

It is appropriate to use "it keeps stopping" when you want to describe something that repeatedly halts or interrupts its function. For example, "The video stream keeps stopping", or "The train it keeps stopping between stations".