keep being

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep being" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express encouragement or to suggest that something should continue. For example, you could say, "Keep being the strong, determined person you are!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Just keep being smart.

The New Yorker

And they keep being disappointed.

The Economist

Just keep being a good photographer.

The New York Times

"I'm going to keep being ready".

The New York Times - Sports

I keep being about to cry.

The New Yorker

You keep being a good kid.

The New York Times

Yikes, I keep being sick!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Better keep being the Clintons!

The Guardian - Opinion

And advances keep being made.

Nature

Keep being you guys, it's pretty cool.

Independent

Keep being imaginative, is the advice.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone, use "keep being" followed by a positive adjective or description to reinforce desirable qualities. For instance, "Keep being kind" or "Keep being creative" encourages the continuation of these traits.

Common error

Avoid using "keep being" when referring to a temporary state or action. It's more appropriate for qualities or behaviors you want to see sustained, not fleeting situations. For example, don't say "Keep being tired" if you mean someone is currently tired; rather, use it to encourage resilience: "Keep being strong even when you're tired".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep being" functions as a gerund phrase, typically acting as a complement to express encouragement or persistence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a continuous state or action, urging the subject to maintain a specific quality or behavior. For example, "Keep being yourself."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep being" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that serves primarily to encourage the continuation of positive qualities or behaviors. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, although it's best used to promote sustained actions rather than fleeting states. The phrase finds its greatest presence in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources. When using "keep being", remember to focus on reinforcing desirable traits, and consider alternatives like "continue to be" or "remain" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to be

This alternative directly replaces "keep" with "continue", maintaining the core meaning of ongoing action.

persist in being

This alternative emphasizes the determined continuation of a specific state.

carry on being

A more colloquial way to express the continuation of a state, similar to 'keep on being'.

remain

This option emphasizes the state of staying in a current condition.

stay

Similar to 'remain', it highlights the persistence of a condition or quality.

maintain

Focuses on upholding or preserving a current state or action.

continue as

Focuses on the continuous role or state of something, instead of being.

hold onto being

Suggests clinging to or not losing a specific attribute or state.

never stop being

Emphasizes the endless aspect of "being", implying a constant state.

always be

Highlights the consistent nature of 'being' a certain way.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep being" to encourage someone to maintain a positive quality or behavior. For instance, you might say, "Keep being yourself", or "Keep being positive".

What phrases are similar to "keep being"?

Alternatives to "keep being" include phrases like "continue to be", "remain", or "stay", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keep being" grammatically correct?

Yes, "keep being" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It functions as a gerund phrase, often used to encourage the continuation of a certain state or action.

When is it not appropriate to use "keep being"?

Avoid using "keep being" when referring to a temporary state or action. It is better suited for encouraging the continuation of desirable qualities or behaviors rather than describing fleeting situations. For example, it is more appropriate to use "continue to be" or describing a fleeting situation.