keep on staring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep on staring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of continuing to look at something intently or for an extended period of time. Example: "Despite the awkwardness of the situation, she couldn't help but keep on staring at the painting, mesmerized by its colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Or just keep on staring out of the window, composing lyrics about your ex who won't give you your skateboard back, while coming up with chord changes that even that bald Mormon sex-case Will Oldham would have thrown away for being too insipid.

Vice

We keep on staring.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead you knuckle under and eat another AOL-financed Cliff Bar or use SpoonRocket to bring you something that you didn't really want but will arrive now-ish, so you can keep on staring at the Internet.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

METAIRIE, La .— The strippers were gyrating and the smoke machine was spewing its vaporous mist, but Matthew McConaughey just kept on staring straight ahead.

Los Angeles Times

As the seconds tick past, and Mr. Hurt keeps on staring, and stares some more, we become uncomfortably aware of the heavy tread of time as it plods by.

The New York Times

But Lizzie just keeps on staring at the top of that table.

The Guardian - Books

He opened his mouth once, but no words came out, so he kept right on staring.

The New Yorker

Like one of those recursive Escher drawings where a picture keeps on endlessly repeating itself like a mirror staring at itself in the mirror.

Vice

She kept on looking, staring him into deep levels of retreat.

The New Yorker

Philosopher and Zen practitioner Alan Watts compared it to a scientist in a lab who discovers something under the microscope; she doesn't just keep on repeating the experiment and staring at the result; she takes new actions informed by her discovery.

Huffington Post

Like not staring at the sun, it is safer to keep one's eyes on the street.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep on staring", ensure the context clearly benefits from emphasizing the continuous nature of the action. If a single instance of staring is meant, consider using "stare" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "keep on staring" when the situation involves quick glances or casual observation. This phrase emphasizes prolonged and intent gazing, so ensure it aligns with the intended intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on staring" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action. It describes the act of continuously looking at something or someone, often suggesting intensity or persistence. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showcasing examples where the phrase effectively conveys ongoing visual attention.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep on staring" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that denotes the continuous action of staring. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples across different contexts. While considered uncommon, its usage is most prevalent in News & Media and Wiki sources. Alternatives such as "continue gazing" and "persist in staring" offer nuanced substitutions, depending on the desired emphasis. Remember to reserve "keep on staring" for situations where prolonged and intense gazing is intended, avoiding its use for casual glances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue gazing

Emphasizes sustained looking, replacing "keep on" with a more formal synonym.

persist in staring

Highlights the unwavering nature of the gaze, suggesting determination.

maintain a steady gaze

Focuses on the stability of the look, implying composure or control.

remain fixated

Stresses the intense focus of the gaze, suggesting captivation or obsession.

hold someone's gaze

Implies a reciprocal stare, differing slightly by adding an object of the gaze.

stare intently

Focuses on the intensity of the stare, removing the continuous aspect.

stare unblinkingly

Highlights the unwavering aspect, specifying a lack of blinking.

watch continuously

Replaces staring with watching, broadening the action to include observation beyond just the eyes.

keep watching

Replaces staring with watching and keep on with keep, broadening the action to include observation beyond just the eyes.

never stop looking

Emphasizes the ceaseless nature of looking, suitable for dramatic contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep on staring" to describe someone who continues to look intently at something or someone. For instance, "Despite the speaker's nervousness, he had to "keep on staring" at his notes to get through the presentation".

What are some alternatives to "keep on staring"?

Alternatives include "continue gazing", "persist in staring", or "remain fixated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "keep on staring" imply about the action?

"Keep on staring" suggests a sustained, continuous act of looking. It often implies either intense focus, rudeness, or a difficulty in looking away.

Is it more appropriate to say "kept staring" or "keep on staring"?

The choice depends on the tense. "Kept staring" is the past tense, used for actions that occurred in the past. "Keep on staring" is present tense, indicating a continuous action happening now or generally. For example, "He "kept staring" at the floor during the meeting" (past) versus "They "keep on staring" even when told not to" (present).