keep on extending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep on extending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of continuing to increase or prolong something, such as a deadline or a project. Example: "We need to keep on extending the deadline until we have all the necessary data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But they keep on extending the time".

The New York Times

In many cases banks simply keep on extending loans to firms that have no hope of repaying them.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In the past two months the company keeps on extending the date of providing salaries.

The Guardian

"Sierra Leoneans are really frustrated that they have not been able to reach the final decision at the set time, and that they have kept on extending proceedings.

The Guardian

He also voiced his suspicions that his bail kept on being extended repeatedly because detectives working on Operation Yewtree – the investigation into historic sex offences launched after the exposure of Jimmy Savile's crimes – did not want juries trying other celebrity sex cases to hear that a former Radio 1 DJ had been cleared.

The Guardian

Child will keep on crying, keep on crying.

BMC Public Health

Any EMF model can thus be created in a separate plugin and extend one or many models allowing the overall model to keep on expanding.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

They kept on going.

The New Yorker

He kept on, kept on, kept on.

Huffington Post

Just kept on crying.

BioData Mining

Despite a small wobble from the new Greek government, the EU last week kept its unity on extending sanctions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep on extending", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being extended and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "keep on extending" when simpler alternatives like "continue to extend" or "prolong" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on extending" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the continuous action of making something longer or prolonging it. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "keep on extending" signifies the ongoing act of prolonging or lengthening something. As Ludwig AI verifies, the phrase is grammatically correct, yet more appropriate for neutral to informal contexts such as news reports, scientific discussions, or general informational articles. While alternatives like "continue to prolong" may suit more formal settings, "keep on extending" effectively conveys the idea of persistent prolongation. When employing this phrase, aim for clarity by specifying what's being extended and the rationale behind it, preventing overuse to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to prolong

Emphasizes the act of making something last longer, maintaining the sense of continuation and expansion.

persist in lengthening

Highlights the sustained effort to increase the duration or length of something.

keep lengthening

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of continuously making something longer.

sustain the extension of

Focuses on maintaining the state of being extended or prolonged.

carry on prolonging

Implies a continuous effort to make something longer or last longer.

maintain the prolongation

Focuses on ensuring that the act of prolonging is upheld and continued.

continue to draw out

Emphasizes the act of making something last longer than necessary or expected.

keep drawing out

Similar to "continue to draw out", emphasizing the continuous nature of making something longer.

perpetuate the extension

Highlights the idea of making the extension permanent or ongoing.

prolong indefinitely

Implies that there's no set end date for the extension.

FAQs

What does "keep on extending" mean?

The phrase "keep on extending" means to continue to prolong or increase something over a period of time. It implies a repetitive or ongoing action of making something longer or more expansive.

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

You can use "keep on extending" to describe the act of prolonging deadlines, agreements, or even physical objects. For example, "The company may "continue to extend" the project deadline if unforeseen issues arise."

What are some alternatives to "keep on extending"?

Alternatives to "keep on extending" include "continue to prolong", "persist in lengthening", or simply "continue to extend", depending on the context.

Is "keep on extending" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "keep on extending" leans towards the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider using "continue to prolong" or "sustain the extension of" for a more professional tone.