keep applying

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep applying" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to encourage someone to not give up in the face of difficulty. For example, you could say "Keep applying - you'll get the job eventually!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"You have to keep applying force".

The New York Times

"You have to keep applying mulch.

The Washington Post

Keep applying and looking for research opportunities.

University of California, Berkeley

But City can't clear effectively, allowing Liverpool to keep applying pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

"I keep applying for jobs and hear nothing at all," he said.

Independent

So let's keep moving along the periodic table and keep applying our molecular orbitals.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And although they keep applying pressure with invitations to virtual dinner parties and online raids, I resist.

The Guardian - Tech

Finally, whille you're waiting to hear back from your potential employer, use your time wisely – keep applying for other positions.

The Guardian

And if Mr. Smith becomes the director, it is imperative that he also keep applying Mr. DeMarco's buyback pressure on the banks.

The New York Times

We keep applying old metrics to new environments.

Forbes

Cardiff manager Dave Jones: "We've got to keep applying the pressure.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "keep applying", be specific about the area they should focus on, such as jobs, scholarships, or grants. This provides more targeted encouragement.

Common error

Avoid simply telling someone to "keep applying" without offering support or resources. Acknowledge their efforts and suggest ways to improve their applications or search strategies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep applying" primarily functions as an imperative construction, urging the listener to continue a specific action. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep applying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that encourages continued effort and persistence. According to Ludwig, it's considered usable and correct. While versatile, it's essential to tailor the advice by offering specific guidance to increase chances of success. Its register is mostly neutral to informal, fitting well in various scenarios. Common contexts include News & Media, Wiki, and Academia. Therefore, remember to use "keep applying" to give someone hope and motivation, but also offer practical advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to apply

This suggests an ongoing action of applying without interruption.

keep submitting your application

Implies repeated submission for consideration.

persist in applying

This alternative emphasizes the act of continuing to apply with determination.

persevere with applications

This highlights the need to endure difficulties while continuing to apply.

don't stop applying

This is a direct encouragement to not cease the act of applying.

never cease applying

This alternative emphasizes an unlimited time frame of applying.

reapply consistently

This emphasizes the importance of applying again and again over time.

regularly submit applications

Focuses on the act of submitting applications on a frequent schedule.

maintain your applications

This implies the need to regularly update and resubmit applications.

stay proactive in your applications

This suggests taking an active role in submitting and following up on applications.

FAQs

How can I use "keep applying" in a sentence?

You can use "keep applying" to encourage someone to continue their efforts despite facing rejections. For instance, "Don't get discouraged by the initial rejections; just "keep applying"."

What's a more formal alternative to "keep applying"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "continue to submit applications" or "persist in your applications" instead of ""keep applying"".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "keep applying"?

The phrase "keep applying" is generally correct, but avoid using it if the context suggests that a different approach or strategy is needed. In those cases, "reassess your strategy" might be more appropriate.

What does it mean when someone tells me to "keep applying"?

It means they are encouraging you not to give up and to continue submitting applications, whether for jobs, schools, or other opportunities. It is a message of perseverance and hope that eventually, you will find success. A similar message can be delivered with "persist in applying".