keep dialing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep dialing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to continue making phone calls, often in the context of trying to reach someone or connect with a service. Example: "If you don't get through on the first try, just keep dialing until you reach the right person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There will be a six-month grace period for callers who keep dialing 914, David C. Flanagan, a Public Service Commission spokesman, said.

The New York Times

No wonder that on the single day when appointments for Fresh Tracks auditions are given out, choreographers have been known to recruit friends to keep dialing the number, hoping one of them will get through.

The New York Times - Arts

"Every morning I would start with 120 paper clips in one jar and I would keep dialing the phone until I had moved them all to the second jar".

Huffington Post

"Keep smiling and keep dialing," shouted Joe Byrd, the field director in charge of the office.

The New York Times

It would at least give them a lot less time to keep dialing until they do reach my Mum.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also explains why Christopher Hill, a 21-year-old from Oklahoma who killed a woman last September when he ran a red light while on his cellphone and rammed into her S.U.V., tried to keep dialing and driving with a headset his mother gave him two months after the accident.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

She kept dialing her husband.

The New York Times

"We told them, 'Just hang on, keep trying.' " Adrian Casteel of Nashville, who said he owed $6,000 in medical bills, said he repeatedly got a recorded message but kept dialing.

The New York Times

As the night wore on, a few people who had kept dialing said they had finally gotten through.

The New York Times

"We just hoping that he keeps it dialed in right now, because what he's doing right now, he's putting this team over the top".

The New York Times - Sports

In pursuit of his aching pout, Baldwin kept on dialling up the inexorability, thereby tapping into any sane person's deepest fear about the Donald: that he was built in a fully automated factory whose android engineers had studied no human being except a bilious infant in a cot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "keep dialing", provide specific context, such as the reason for persistent calling or the expected outcome. For instance, "Keep dialing until you get through to customer service."

Common error

Avoid using "keep dialing" in formal business communications or technical documentation. Opt for more professional alternatives like "continue to call" or "persist in contacting" to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep dialing" functions as an imperative, instructing or encouraging someone to continue making phone calls. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep dialing" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to instruct someone to continue making phone calls. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's generally used in neutral contexts, often found in news and media sources. While appropriate for many everyday situations, more formal settings might benefit from using alternatives such as "continue to call" or "persist in calling". The key is to consider your audience and the context in which you're communicating to ensure your message is both clear and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to call

Replaces "keep" with "continue", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action.

persist in calling

Uses "persist" to highlight the determination to keep calling despite difficulties.

keep trying to call

Adds "trying to" to emphasize the attempt to make a connection.

repeatedly dial

Focuses on the repetition of the dialing action.

continue phoning

Uses "phoning" as a synonym for dialing, maintaining the sense of ongoing action.

keep ringing

Uses "ringing" to describe the action of calling, often implying a continuous effort.

don't stop calling

Emphasizes the need to continue calling without interruption.

keep the line open

Suggests maintaining the phone connection or attempting to do so.

stay on the line

Implies waiting and maintaining the connection, which may involve redialing.

redial persistently

Combines the action of redialing with the quality of persistence.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep dialing" to instruct someone to continue making phone calls, such as "If the line is busy, "continue to call" until you get through."

What's a more formal way to say "keep dialing"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "persist in calling" or "continue to call" instead of "keep dialing".

Is "keep dialing" appropriate for professional emails?

While "keep dialing" is understandable, it may sound informal in professional emails. Using phrases like "repeatedly dial" or "continue attempting to contact" might be more suitable.

What does it mean to "keep dialing"?

"Keep dialing" means to continue making phone calls, often repeatedly, until you successfully connect with the intended recipient or service. It implies persistence and determination to establish a connection.