keep on talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep on talking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to encourage someone to continue speaking or to indicate that someone is persistently speaking. Example: "Even though the meeting was running late, she decided to keep on talking about her ideas for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, on Tuesday afternoon, he stood on the floor of the Senate and said he would keep on talking so that no one could vote on that very bill, which was custom-made to his specifications.

The New York Times

He added, "We keep on talking about this stuff, and we have these high-minded pronouncements about how we've got to get control of the deficit and how we owe it to our children and our grandchildren.

The New York Times

"We keep on talking about this stuff and we have these high-minded pronouncements about how we've got to get control of the deficit and how we owe it to our children and our grandchildren," Mr. Obama said.

The New York Times

Either put those people with someone so funny that the event will be funny however mute they are; or put them with someone so fawning that they will keep on talking, however little they're actually saying.

The Guardian

However, now is no time to sit back!" It quotes a national spokesman saying the association needs to "keep on talking to our MPs and MEPs whenever we get the chance about these potential new restrictions".

The Guardian

"We keep on talking about £8bn in 2020 but in fact the NHS is going to need the biggest chunk of that much sooner than 2020, because so much of the system is firefighting at the moment," he told The Independent.

Independent

We risk losing sight of the people who brought us into No 10 in the first place if we keep on talking about the fate of the coalition agreement.

BBC

And yet, we keep on talking about how crisis is opportunity, here's an opportunity.

HuffPost

Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around Gonna keep on walking' Keep on talking March up to Freedom Land.

Huffington Post

Everyone I know likes to go to Smallville! "Keep on Talking" is released via True Romance on June 8.

Vice

The president's son claims teachers are "indoctrinating" children in socialism "from birth". He called them "loser teachers". Keep on talking, Trump Jr.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context; "continue speaking" may be more appropriate in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "keep on talking" in highly formal writing or professional communication; opt for more sophisticated phrases like "continue to elaborate" or "proceed with your explanation".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "keep on talking" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, indicating the continuation of the action of talking. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in encouraging someone to continue speaking or describing a persistent action. The phrasal verb consists of the verb "keep" followed by the preposition "on" and the gerund "talking."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep on talking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrasal verb that indicates the continuation of the act of talking. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and usable in written English. While versatile and frequently employed in news and media, as well as informal contexts such as wikis, it is advisable to opt for more formal alternatives like "continue speaking" or "proceed with your explanation" in professional or academic settings. Remember that overusing "keep on talking" in a formal context may come off as too casual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep speaking

A more direct and less idiomatic synonym.

continue speaking

More formal alternative focusing on the act of speaking.

go on talking

Similar meaning but may imply a less structured form of talking.

carry on talking

Implies continuing a conversation despite interruptions.

keep the conversation going

Highlights the effort to prevent the conversation from stopping.

persist in talking

Emphasizes stubbornness or insistence in talking.

never stop talking

Emphasizes ceaseless talking, often with a negative connotation.

proceed to talk

Suggests a transition to talking from another activity.

continue to converse

A more formal and sophisticated alternative.

maintain the conversation

Focuses on sustaining a dialogue.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep on talking" to encourage someone to continue speaking, as in "Even though the meeting was running late, she decided to "keep on talking" about her ideas for the project".

What are some alternatives to "keep on talking"?

Alternatives include "continue speaking", "go on talking", or "persist in talking" depending on the desired nuance.

Is "keep on talking" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "keep on talking" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. For formal writing, consider using "continue speaking" or "continue to converse".

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

"Keep on talking" often implies encouragement or persistence, while "continue talking" is a more neutral and straightforward way to describe the act of continuing to speak.