keep challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to encourage someone to continue to question or push boundaries, often in a motivational context. Example: "In order to grow and improve, it's important to keep challenging yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And we will keep challenging Israel in other ways.

The New York Times

"We will keep challenging the terrorists," he said.

The Washington Post

"I've promised myself to keep going and keep challenging myself," she said.

Independent

Even outside your work, there are ways to keep challenging yourself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But I do mean that you should keep exploring, keep asking questions, and keep challenging yourselves.

Harvard University

It's a bit daunting sometimes, but it's important to keep challenging yourself.

The Guardian - Music

You have to keep challenging yourself, and I'm about leading by example.

The New York Times - Arts

That's good, but politicians have to keep challenging us with questions of intergenerational fairness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nevertheless, by boosting profits and doing deals, he has raised doubts about whether the government should keep challenging him.

The Economist

He put everything at risk to keep challenging the W.M.D. story line, to avoid war and promote democracy.

The New York Times

Aaron's motto when he graduated from high school was 'Reached Levels, New Heights.' Keep reaching and keep challenging yourselves".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts involving innovation or problem-solving, use "keep challenging" to promote a mindset of questioning assumptions and seeking novel solutions.

Common error

Don't allow "keep challenging" to become a mere platitude; actively identify and address areas where improvement is needed, both personally and professionally. Focus on practical actions arising from challenging assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep challenging" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often used to encourage continuous effort and questioning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it implies an ongoing action aimed at self-improvement, innovation, or problem-solving. The examples show its use in personal development, business, and even political contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep challenging" is a grammatically correct and widely used gerund phrase that encourages ongoing critical thinking and proactive effort. Ludwig AI confirms its common use across diverse contexts, from personal growth to professional innovation. Its neutral register and adaptability make it suitable for various communication settings, with a slightly informal tone when used in motivational contexts. The examples highlight its effectiveness in promoting continuous improvement and questioning assumptions, with primary usage in News & Media and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to challenge

Focuses on the act of challenging in an ongoing manner, similar to the original phrase but slightly more formal.

persist in challenging

Emphasizes the perseverance required in challenging, suggesting a more difficult or resistant environment.

maintain a challenging approach

Highlights the need to consistently apply a challenging perspective or method.

sustain the challenge

Implies not only continuing but also supporting and nurturing the challenging aspect.

keep questioning

Focuses on the act of inquiry and scrutiny, often used in the context of critical thinking.

always be challenging

Highlights the proactive and continuous nature of questioning and resisting norms.

never stop questioning

Emphasizes relentless inquiry and a refusal to accept things at face value.

don't stop pushing boundaries

Emphasizes the importance of continuous expansion beyond established limits, differing from self-improvement to external impact.

stay ambitious

Suggests a continuous pursuit of goals that require effort and the overcoming of obstacles.

remain audacious

Implies retaining a bold and daring spirit in the face of adversity.

FAQs

How can I use "keep challenging" in a professional setting?

In professional contexts, "keep challenging" can be used to encourage innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. It suggests questioning established processes and seeking better solutions. For example, you might say, "We need to "keep challenging" our assumptions to stay ahead of the competition."

What is a synonym for "keep challenging" that emphasizes persistence?

A synonym that emphasizes persistence is "persist in challenging". This phrase highlights the need for continued effort and determination when facing obstacles or resistance.

Is "keep challenging myself" grammatically correct?

Yes, "keep challenging myself" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard grammatical structure for a gerund phrase, indicating an ongoing action directed towards oneself.

How does "keep challenging" differ from "continue to challenge"?

"Keep challenging" and "continue to challenge" are very similar, but "keep challenging" has a slightly more informal and encouraging tone, suggesting a sustained effort over time. "Continue to challenge" can sound slightly more formal and deliberate.