keep leaving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep leaving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous action of departing or going away, often in a context where someone is repeatedly or habitually leaving a place or situation. Example: "Every time I try to have a serious conversation, he just keeps leaving the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Keep leaving the dimes.

The New York Times

Why does she keep leaving her boyfriends?

The Guardian - Books

But people keep leaving the house.

The New Yorker

Alternatively, use your housemate's socks that they keep leaving round the house.

Independent

According to Wyatt Mason's article on Frederick Seidel (April 12), anthologists keep leaving him out.

The New York Times

Citigroup has now had five chief financial officers in five years, and senior managers keep leaving.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"In 200 yards, keep left," it says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With Richard Crossman and Ian Mikardo, he had produced the 1947 pamphlet Keep Left and started the Keep Left group of backbenchers.

The Guardian

The top disc reads, in clear black letters, "Southbound Traffic Keep Left".

The New Yorker

"If you walk along that corridor, follow it along to the swing doors, then keep left".

The Guardian - Books

The Denver Broncos have declared that they will use the tag to keep left tackle Ryan Clady from heading into free agency.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep leaving", ensure the context clearly indicates repeated or habitual departures. It is most effective when highlighting a pattern of behavior rather than a single instance.

Common error

Avoid using "keep leaving" when describing a single, isolated event. The phrase implies a recurring action, so using it for a one-time occurrence can be misleading. For example, it's better to say "he left the meeting" rather than "he kept leaving the meeting" if he only left once.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep leaving" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous or habitual action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The auxiliary verb "keep" modifies the main verb "leaving", emphasizing the repetitive nature of the departure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep leaving" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a recurring action of departing. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for emphasizing habitual or repeated departures. It is frequently found in news and media contexts. To use it effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates a pattern of behavior and avoid using it for single occurrences. Alternatives like "persist in leaving" or "repeatedly depart" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Understanding these guidelines will help you use "keep leaving" with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persist in leaving

Emphasizes the continuous and determined nature of leaving.

continue to exit

More formal and emphasizes the action of exiting repeatedly.

repeatedly depart

Highlights the repetition of the act of departing.

habitually abandon

Suggests a pattern of abandonment in their leaving.

always going away

Focuses on the constant state of departure.

frequently absenting oneself

Formal and emphasizes the act of making oneself absent.

constantly vacating

Highlights the continuous act of vacating a place or position.

never staying put

Emphasizes the lack of stability and constant movement.

keeps running off

Informal and suggests a hurried or impulsive departure.

remain in departure

Highlights a state of continuous movement.

FAQs

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

Use "keep leaving" to describe a recurring action of departing. For example, "She "keeps leaving" the door open", indicating she repeatedly leaves the door open.

What are some alternatives to saying "keep leaving"?

Alternatives include "persist in leaving", "repeatedly depart", or "habitually abandon" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "keep leaving" and "continue to leave"?

"Keep leaving" emphasizes a habitual or repeated action, while "continue to leave" simply indicates an ongoing process of leaving. The first implies a pattern, the second suggests ongoing action.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "keep leaving"?

It's inappropriate to use "keep leaving" when referring to a single instance of someone departing. It implies a repeated or habitual action, making it unsuitable for describing a one-time event. Consider using alternatives like "left" or "departed" for single occurrences.