it kept going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it kept going" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that continues without stopping, whether it's a physical object, an event, or a situation. Example: "The train was delayed, but once it started moving again, it kept going without any further interruptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it kept going.

The New Yorker

And it kept going.

The New York Times - Arts

"It kept going up every year".

The New York Times

"It kept going bzzt bzzt bzzt.

The New Yorker

"It kept going off," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

But then, it kept going and kept going.

The New York Times - Sports

It kept going into speeches, and it kept coming out.

The Guardian

It kept going until all the hearts had been broken.

The New York Times

It just started to go and it kept going.

The New York Times - Sports

It kept going up and up and up".

The Guardian

"And it kept going into the third set".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing narratives, use "it kept going" to build suspense or to highlight the relentless nature of an event. For example, "The storm raged all night; it kept going, showing no sign of stopping".

Common error

Avoid using "it kept going" when you want to describe planned or scheduled continuations. The phrase often implies an unexpected or surprising persistence. Instead, opt for "it continued as planned" or "it proceeded according to schedule" for planned events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it kept going" primarily functions as a clause within a sentence, often serving as the main predicate. It signifies the continuation of an action, state, or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its versatility in describing events that persist or continue beyond expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sports

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it kept going" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression, used to convey the idea of continued action or persistence, often with an implication of surprise or unexpected duration. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase enjoys very common usage across various contexts, but particularly in news, sports, and general media, signalling its broad applicability. It's important to note its informal tone, so avoid using it in super formal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it continued

This alternative offers a more formal and direct synonym, simply stating that something proceeded without interruption.

it persisted

This option emphasizes the unwavering nature of the action, highlighting that it continued despite potential obstacles.

it carried on

Similar to "it continued", this implies a maintenance of effort or activity, often in the face of difficulty.

it went on

This phrase is a more general alternative, indicating that something progressed through time.

it rolled on

This alternative emphasizes the unstoppable momentum or flow of the action, suggesting a continuous and effortless movement.

it moved forward

This phrase highlights the directional aspect, emphasizing that progress was maintained.

it pressed on

This option suggests a determined continuation, often in the face of challenges or resistance.

it never stopped

This phrase emphasizes the absence of interruption, underlining the relentless nature of the action.

it proceeded

A formal synonym indicating that something advanced or went forward in an orderly way.

it sustained

This alternative focuses on the maintenance of a state or condition over time.

FAQs

How can I use "it kept going" in a sentence?

Use "it kept going" to describe something that continued unexpectedly or persistently. For example: "The music played all night; "it kept going" even after everyone had left".

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

You can use alternatives like "it continued", "it persisted", or "it carried on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it keeps going" instead of "it kept going"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "it keeps going" is in the present tense and describes something that is currently happening or happens regularly, while "it kept going" is in the past tense and describes something that happened in the past.

What's the difference between "it kept going" and "it went on"?

While both phrases indicate continuation, "it kept going" often implies a sense of surprise or unexpected persistence, whereas "it went on" is a more neutral way of saying something continued.