keep on living

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep on living" is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when expressing encouragement or advice to persist in a difficult situation. For example, you might say, "Even though things are tough right now, keep on living and you will eventually make it through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Owen, meanwhile, applied for a variance to the city's leash law, allowing Blue to keep on living as he always had, leash-free, which is what prompted Wednesday's meeting.

The New York Times

"That shouldn't be so, because the inhabitants of this city keep on living their daily life as usual".

Los Angeles Times

Early in "Ocean of Pearls," a kind of Sikh "Jazz Singer," Amrit Singh poses a question: "Why would someone work so hard to come to a new world just to keep on living in the old one?" Amrit (a thoughtful Omid Abtahi), a Sikh whose parents emigrated from India to Toronto in the 1960s, lives among Sikhs governed by tradition and conservative mores.

The New York Times

"It isn't worth it to keep on living like this," he said at one point.

The New Yorker

But if they don't seek help, no one will even know they're in trouble.' For those out there on the streets, it's important to have a desire to keep on living, and stop complaining that no one comes to help', Lesia believes.

Unicef

Brooke's experience has forced Peggy to step back from that moment to an earlier one: the moment of confronting one's own horrific circumstances and choosing, at least for now, to keep on living.

The New York Times - Magazine

European taxpayers will just have to keep on living dangerously.

The New York Times

I write in order to keep on living.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Secret Word" (Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Channing Tatum, Andy Samberg, Nasim Pedrad) I will never see Lord Wyndemere or Sex Ed Vincent ever again on "SNL," yet "Secret Word" keeps on living.

Huffington Post

Two years passed and, during that time, I sold my book, Pam switched jobs, Teresa went back to school and Bette kept on living as best she could.

Huffington Post

And yet Jeanne kept on living.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep on living" to express encouragement or determination in the face of adversity. It suggests not just surviving, but actively continuing one's life.

Common error

Avoid using "keep on living" when simply stating someone is alive. This phrase implies a conscious decision to continue despite challenges, not just biological existence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keep on living" is to act as a verb phrase expressing encouragement, determination, or persistence in continuing one's life. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and in common use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep on living" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to encourage persistence and resilience in the face of adversity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. While generally neutral to informal in register, it effectively conveys a message of hope and determination. Alternatives like "continue to live" or "persist in living" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Remember to use "keep on living" when you want to inspire someone to not just survive, but to actively engage with and continue their life despite challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go on living

A more straightforward way of saying "keep on living", but less emphatic.

continue to live

Focuses on the continuous aspect of living, omitting the sense of perseverance.

persist in living

Emphasizes the persistence or determination to continue living, adding a layer of effort.

stay alive

Emphasizes the effort to remain alive, similar but less continuous than "keep on living".

survive

Highlights the act of surviving a difficult situation, but lacks the continuous aspect of "keep on living".

endure

Suggests bearing hardship, implying a struggle to continue living.

carry on

Suggests continuing with life despite challenges, similar to "keep on living" but more general.

remain alive

Highlights the state of being alive, missing the proactive element of continuing.

keep existing

Focuses on the mere existence rather than the quality or experience of living.

persevere

Highlights the determination to overcome obstacles but is less specifically tied to the concept of living.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep on living" to encourage someone facing difficulties. For example, "Even though you're going through a tough time, remember to "carry on" and "keep on living".

What does "keep on living" imply?

"Keep on living" implies a deliberate choice to continue one's life, especially in the face of adversity or hardship. It suggests resilience and determination.

What are some alternatives to "keep on living"?

Some alternatives to "keep on living" include "continue to live", "persist in living", or simply "survive", depending on the specific context.

Is "keep on living" formal or informal?

"Keep on living" is generally considered informal and is more suitable for everyday conversations and casual writing. More formal alternatives might be more appropriate in academic or professional contexts.