keep going on about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep going on about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who continues to talk excessively or repetitively about a particular topic. Example: "She just keeps going on about her vacation plans, and it's getting a bit tiresome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Why do you keep going on about fat? Q: What was your favourite lunch?

Independent

Return to The VICE Guide to Europe 2014 homepage.

Vice

Yes, we keep going on about it, but it's probably one of the most overlooked security features that everyone should have enabled.

The Guardian - Tech

But as one audience member put it, "you keep going on about middle-income families but almost a quarter of the population in your district is living below the poverty line, so what does that do for them?" Watch more of the contentious event below, courtesy of North State Public Radio.

Huffington Post

I don't mean to keep going on about actors, but they're the most important ones, OK? It's not the words you say, it's how good you look when you're saying them".

Independent

"No one believed me for a week, so I had to keep going on about it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The Royal Institute of British Architects says that more than half of new houses built are too small for families to live in (it's a bit of a mystery where all these "home-grown" workers our Brexit-mad government keeps going on about are actually going to, well, grow up).

The Guardian - Opinion

At one point, "TB said to him the fact that he keeps going on about it is what leads people to conclude that it might be true".

Independent

Those butterflies that crazy bloke keeps going on about shouldn't even be in this country.

The Guardian

That's very difficult for Corbyn to oppose since he keeps going on about democracy in the party".

Independent

She thought that mobile phones were weird and could not understand why I kept going on about "this internet thing".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep going on about" to describe situations where someone is repeatedly and excessively discussing a topic that may be annoying or tedious to others. It often implies a lack of awareness or consideration for the listener's perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "keep going on about" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound overly critical or dismissive. Consider using synonyms like "dwell on" or "harp on" for variety and nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "keep going on about" functions as a descriptor of continuous or repetitive speech. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is both correct and usable in written English. It often implies the speaker finds the topic tedious or excessive, similar to phrases like "harp on" or "dwell on."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep going on about" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes someone who talks repetitively about a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it's prevalent in informal and neutral contexts like News & Media, it's less appropriate for formal or academic writing. Be mindful of the slightly negative connotation of tedium or annoyance it often carries and consider synonyms like "dwell on" or "repeatedly mention" to adjust the tone. When people keep going on about a topic, you might suggest changing the subject!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harp on

Suggests persistent and tedious repetition of a subject.

dwell on

Implies focusing at length on a particular topic, often with a negative connotation.

repeatedly bring up

Highlights the act of raising the topic multiple times.

persist in mentioning

Highlights the continuous and unwavering nature of bringing up a subject.

endlessly talk about

Implies that the discussion is without limit or end.

insist on

Emphasizes repeatedly and firmly stating a particular viewpoint.

continue to discuss at length

Emphasizes the prolonged nature of the discussion.

reiterate

Means stating something again or repeatedly, often for emphasis.

labor the point

Suggests belaboring or overemphasizing a particular point or idea.

fixate on

Implies an obsessive focus on a particular subject or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "keep going on about" in a sentence?

You can use "keep going on about" to describe someone who repeatedly talks about something, often to an excessive degree. For example: "She just keeps going on about her new car."

What's a less critical way to say "keep going on about"?

If you want to describe someone talking about something frequently without being overly critical, you could say they "repeatedly mention" or "frequently discuss" the topic.

Is "keep going on about" formal or informal?

"Keep going on about" is generally considered an informal expression. It is best suited for casual conversations or informal writing. In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "persist in mentioning".

What's the difference between "keep going on about" and "harp on"?

While both phrases imply repetitive discussion, "harp on" often carries a stronger connotation of nagging or complaining. "Keep going on about" is generally more neutral, simply indicating that someone is talking about something repeatedly.