keep on playing

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep on playing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of continued activity, or to encourage someone to continue something they are doing. For example, "The team was behind by 10 points, but the coach told them to keep on playing and they eventually won the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The favorite here … just keep on playing until someone, anyone scores.

The New York Times

But one cannot keep on playing this game forever: at some point we hit rock bottom.

Huffington Post

Then you keep on playing until one person loses.

WikiHow

We want to keep on playing".

The New York Times - Sports

We have to keep on playing well".

The New York Times - Sports

"We had to keep on playing".

The New York Times - Sports

"I like this team — they just keep on playing hard.

The New York Times - Sports

We just needed him to keep on playing.

The Guardian - Music

I'm just going to play, and as long as I can keep on playing, I'm going to keep on playing".

The New York Times - Sports

With the PowerEZ Plus, you can keep on playing or watching while you're recharging your battery.

The New York Times

"I know we play the game right, and that's how we're going to keep on playing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing sustained effort or persistence, "keep on playing" is more impactful than simply saying "continue playing".

Common error

Avoid using "keep on playing" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound repetitive or informal. Consider using synonyms like "continue", "persist", or "sustain" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on playing" functions as a phrasal verb emphasizing the continuation of an activity. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to encourage persistence, even in challenging situations. It commonly modifies a verb, adding the nuance of sustained effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

22%

Sports

13%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep on playing" is a grammatically sound and very common phrasal verb used to encourage continued action, particularly in the face of adversity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. While predominantly found in news and sports contexts, it maintains a generally neutral, leaning towards informal, tone. To avoid repetition in more formal writing, consider using synonyms like "continue", "persist", or "sustain". The phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources, affirming its reliability and appropriateness in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep playing

Shorter and more direct, less emphatic.

continue playing

More formal and neutral, lacks the emphasis on persistence.

go on playing

Similar to "keep playing", but can also imply a transition to playing.

carry on playing

British English equivalent, implies continuing despite difficulty.

persist in playing

Emphasizes determination, often used when facing obstacles.

persevere in playing

Highlights the act of overcoming challenges to continue.

stick to playing

Implies loyalty or commitment to playing.

sustain playing

Focuses on maintaining a level of performance.

maintain playing

Focuses on retaining or preserving a playing status.

hold on playing

Suggests maintaining playing status against external pressure.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep on playing" to encourage someone to continue an activity. For example, "Even though they were losing, the coach told them to "keep on playing"."

What can I say instead of "keep on playing"?

You can use alternatives like "continue playing", "carry on playing", or "persist in playing depending on the context.

Which is correct, "keep on playing" or "keep playing"?

Both ""keep on playing"" and "keep playing" are correct, but "keep on playing" adds emphasis on the continuation of the activity.

What's the difference between "keep on playing" and "continue playing"?

"Keep on playing" is more informal and emphasizes persistence, while "continue playing" is more formal and neutral.