just keep thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just keep thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to encourage someone to continue their thought process or brainstorming without giving up. Example: "If you're struggling to find a solution, just keep thinking; the answer might come to you eventually."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"You just keep thinking, Butch.

The New York Times

Just keep thinking we're winning, baby!

The New York Times

"Just keep thinking that way," she said.

The New York Times - Style

But just keep thinking about the money, Pinch.

The New Yorker

So we can't just keep thinking about Japan, O.K.?" But I'm not one to talk.

The New York Times

"I just keep thinking about how happy he was, how ecstatic he was.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

I just kept thinking about using the words 'user-generated' or 'citizen journalism,' but people don't think that way.

The New York Times

I just kept thinking to myself, "Structure.

The New York Times

"I just kept thinking about the ceremony.

The New York Times - Sports

"I just kept thinking about the number 146," he said.

The New York Times

"I just kept thinking: Let me mess up my life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just keep thinking" to encourage someone to persevere when facing a challenging problem or creative block. It's particularly effective in brainstorming sessions or when motivating someone to explore different angles of a problem.

Common error

While versatile, "just keep thinking" can sound informal. In academic or professional writing, opt for phrases like "continue to analyze" or "persist in your investigation" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just keep thinking" functions as an imperative, directly instructing or encouraging someone to continue their thought process. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

30%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just keep thinking" is a grammatically correct and highly prevalent imperative phrase employed to encourage persistent contemplation. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "continue to analyze" in academic or professional settings. Remember to use "just keep thinking" when you want to motivate someone to persevere mentally through a challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue pondering

Emphasizes the act of sustained and deep contemplation.

persist in your thoughts

Highlights the importance of not abandoning one's current line of thinking.

maintain focus on your ideas

Stresses the need to remain concentrated on one's concepts.

hold onto that thought

Suggests retaining a specific idea for further consideration.

persevere in thought

Conveys the necessity of continuous and determined thinking.

don't stop contemplating

Directly advises against ceasing the act of thinking something through.

sustain your mental effort

Highlights the effort involved in continuous thought.

remain in a state of reflection

Focuses on maintaining a reflective mindset.

keep your mind engaged

Highlights the importance of active mental involvement.

stay with it mentally

Encourages one to stick with a mental task or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "just keep thinking" in a sentence?

You can use "just keep thinking" to encourage someone to continue brainstorming or to not give up when facing a difficult problem. For example, "If you're stuck, "just keep thinking"; the solution will come to you eventually."

What's a more formal alternative to "just keep thinking"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "continue to analyze", "persist in your investigation", or "maintain focus on the problem" instead of "just keep thinking".

When is it appropriate to use "just keep thinking"?

It's suitable in informal settings, such as casual conversations, team meetings, or motivational talks. Avoid using it in formal academic papers or official reports where a more sophisticated tone is expected.

How does "just keep thinking" differ from "just keep trying"?

"Just keep thinking" emphasizes the importance of mental effort and problem-solving, while "just keep trying" focuses on repeated action and perseverance. The former is about exploring ideas, the latter is about persistence despite failures.