keep on stirring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep on stirring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to continue mixing or agitating a substance, often in cooking or scientific contexts. Example: "As the sauce thickens, make sure to keep on stirring to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Baby, fix me one more drink and hug your daddy one more time Keep on stirring my malted milk, mama, until I change my mind "Malted Milk," by Robert Johnson.

The New York Times - Magazine

Stir the spinach gently until it wilts, then add the rest and keep on stirring until wilted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Nevertheless, some people will not look at the evidence and will keep on stirring this.

The Guardian

They just keep on stirring and skimming.

Vice

While on heating, keep on stirring until it becomes a sticky batter.

WikiHow

Keep on stirring until its to the right temperature you need.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"There's theoretical love," Bill replied, "and then there's applied love"–and kept on stirring.

University of California, Berkeley

After adding the APS, the solution was kept on stirring for 3 h.

Chemistry Central Journal

The resultant basified solution was kept on stirring for 24 h at 50 °C.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The solution was kept on stirring for 18 hours at 70°C.

Chemistry Central Journal

Then the NaBH4 (freshly prepared) was added drop-wise into the solution with a continuous magnetic stirring; the reaction solution was kept on stirring for 3 h to complete the reduction reaction (n (H2PdCl4):n (NaBH4) = 1 3).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing cooking instructions, use "keep on stirring" to emphasize the importance of continuous mixing to prevent burning or sticking.

Common error

While "keep on stirring" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "continue to stir" or "stir continuously" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on stirring" functions as a phrasal verb, providing an instruction or direction to continue the act of stirring. Ludwig AI shows examples of this usage in cooking recipes, scientific procedures, and even metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

37%

News & Media

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep on stirring" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrasal verb used to instruct someone to continue stirring. Ludwig AI confirms it is most frequently found in informal contexts such as cooking recipes and Wiki articles, but also appears in news and scientific publications. While acceptable in most situations, more formal alternatives like "continue to stir" may be preferable in academic or professional writing. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid repetition and maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to stir

More formal and direct, emphasizing the continuation of the action.

keep stirring

Shorter and more concise, but conveys the same meaning.

stir continuously

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the stirring.

don't stop stirring

A more emphatic way to say to continue stirring.

go on stirring

An alternative way of expressing continuous stirring

persist in stirring

Highlights the effort and determination in continuing the stirring.

maintain stirring

Focuses on keeping up a constant stirring motion.

stir without ceasing

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of stirring action.

continue mixing

Broader term, but similar in that mixing often involves stirring.

sustain stirring

Emphasizes the maintenance of the stirring action over time.

FAQs

What does "keep on stirring" mean?

It means to continue stirring something, usually in a circular motion, often in the context of cooking or chemistry.

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

You can use alternatives like "continue to stir", "keep stirring", or "stir continuously" depending on the context.

How do I use "keep on stirring" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "As the sauce thickens, you must "keep on stirring" to prevent it from burning."

Is "keep on stirring" formal or informal?

It's generally considered informal but acceptable in most contexts, especially when giving instructions. More formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.