keep on crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep on crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who continues to cry, often in a context of expressing sadness or frustration. Example: "Even after the movie ended, she couldn't help but keep on crying over the tragic ending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Child will keep on crying, keep on crying.

BMC Public Health

Because whereas women are crying in pain asking for help what the midwife does… does not show that she is really nursing patients… she tells the patient "… you will see, when you were making your baby I was not with you, keep on crying, when you die we will come to collect your dead body.... .......

BMC Health Services Research

Sometimes you would think why they keep on crying for no reason.

WikiHow

If you are sad, don't just give up to sadness and keep on crying, dance or talk to others or even read something that may help you to be positive again.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She just kept on crying.

The New Yorker

If you were me, you kept on crying here, and not because of Joffrey.

The New Yorker

Just kept on crying.

BioData Mining

I kept on crying quite a while back in the silent apartment.

The New Yorker

"Thank you very much," he said courteously as she kept on crying.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He wrote me a beautiful letter after seeing the film, saying he was deeply touched," says Sorrentino. "He described how, during the trip back home in the taxi with his wife, he kept on crying".

The Guardian - Film

She kept on crying, says Anjani.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep on crying" to emphasize the prolonged and continuous nature of someone's sadness or distress. It suggests that the crying is not just a fleeting moment but an ongoing expression of emotion.

Common error

While "keep on crying" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "continued to weep" or "persisted in lamenting" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keep on crying" is a verb phrase indicating a continuous action. The verb "keep" combined with the preposition "on" and the gerund "crying" forms a compound verb that describes the persistence of the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep on crying" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that emphasizes the prolonged and continuous nature of crying. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptance across various contexts, though it's more prevalent in informal settings. For formal writing, alternatives like "continue to weep" might be more appropriate. When using this phrase, remember that it signifies not just a single instance of crying but an ongoing emotional state. This analysis, based on numerous real-world examples, provides practical guidance for using "keep on crying" effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never stop crying

Emphasizes the unending nature of the crying, intensifying the emotional impact.

cry without ceasing

Similar to "never stop crying" but uses a more formal and emphatic tone.

continue to weep

Replaces "crying" with the more formal "weep", slightly altering the tone.

cry continuously

Directly states the continuous nature of the crying, using a straightforward adverb.

carry on weeping

Uses "carry on" instead of "keep on", maintaining the continuous aspect with a slightly different colloquialism.

cry on and on

Uses a more informal, repetitive structure to emphasize the continuation of crying.

persist in crying

Emphasizes the continuous nature of crying, adding a sense of determination or lack of control.

cry endlessly

Highlights the lack of an end to the crying, adding a sense of despair.

cry incessantly

Replaces the phrase with a single adverb, highlighting the ceaseless nature of the crying.

cry perpetually

Replaces "keep on" with "perpetually", indicating a constant and seemingly endless state of crying.

FAQs

How can I use "keep on crying" in a sentence?

You can use "keep on crying" to describe someone who continues to cry for an extended period. For example, "Even after the movie ended, she couldn't help but "keep on crying" over the tragic ending."

What are some alternatives to "keep on crying"?

Alternatives to "keep on crying" include "continue to cry", "carry on crying", or "cry incessantly" depending on the context.

Is "keep on crying" grammatically correct?

Yes, "keep on crying" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. It follows standard grammatical rules for verb phrases.

What's the difference between "keep crying" and "keep on crying"?

While both phrases are similar, "keep on crying" emphasizes the continuous and prolonged nature of the crying more than simply "keep crying". The addition of "on" intensifies the sense of duration.