keep on tightening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep on tightening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making something tighter or more secure, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "As the deadline approached, the pressure on the team began to keep on tightening, leading to increased stress levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To the spammer, it is moot whether the link is e-mailed, tweeted or liked.The police are doing what they can, and software companies keep on tightening security.

The Economist

You will feel the tightening of the boots at the toe end gradually up to the ankles as you keep on tightening the laces.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Lots of economic indicators, including stagnant company earnings and asset prices, suggest that it was wrong, but the NBU kept on tightening everyone's belts all the way to the end of 2013.

Huffington Post

Direct controls on emissions, for instance through vehicle fuel-efficiency standards, are being tightened around the world.Yet emissions keep on rising.

The Economist

Ranieri's genius has been to see what he's got, take a deep, fortifying sniff of that burgeoning team spirit and simply let it keep on ticking, tightening up the details on the hoof as the season has thrummed along.

The Guardian - Sport

Johnson, who saw them off, has had responsibility for Underground upgrades during a period in which his fellow Tories upstream have kept on writing cheques but tightened the purse strings.

The Guardian

Keep the tightening a gradual process; don't rush things.

WikiHow

"So they keep tightening supplies and prices keep going up".

The New York Times

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Foreign Trade Council, General Electric, ExxonMobil and others spent an unspecified amount to keep Congress from tightening sanctions on businesses that invest in Iran's petroleum sector which greases that nation's nuclear weapons aspirations.

Forbes

But the main players in the industry refuse to be shaken and keep tightening their grip on the transportation industry.

Huffington Post

Until then, I'll keep tightening up the straps on my current bras.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep on tightening" in a metaphorical context, ensure the subject is something that can logically be tightened. For example, you can "keep on tightening" restrictions, but not necessarily a feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "keep on tightening" when describing a process that should be loosened or relaxed. Ensure the action aligns with the intended outcome. Otherwise consider "releasing or relaxing" something instead of tightening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on tightening" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the continuous action of making something more secure or restrictive. It implies a sustained effort to reduce looseness or flexibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep on tightening" is a phrasal verb denoting a continuous action to make something more secure or restrictive. Grammatically correct and frequently used, it’s particularly common in News & Media and Wiki contexts. Ludwig AI supports its validity and offers "continue to tighten" as a direct alternative. When using this phrase, ensure the subject aligns with the action of tightening and avoid misuse in situations that require loosening or relaxing. Overall, "keep on tightening" is a versatile phrase that effectively communicates ongoing efforts to increase control or security in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to tighten

Replaces "keep on" with "continue to", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the tightening action.

persist in tightening

Replaces "keep on" with "persist in", suggesting a more determined or stubborn approach to tightening.

steadily tighten

Adds the adverb "steadily" to emphasize the gradual and consistent nature of the tightening process.

progressively tighten

Uses "progressively" to highlight the incremental and increasing nature of the tightening.

constantly tighten

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the tightening action.

maintain tightening

Focuses on maintaining the act of tightening, rather than initiating it.

keep up the tightening

Adds "up the" to emphasize the continuation of an already established tightening process.

go on tightening

Replaces "keep on" with "go on", providing a slightly less formal alternative.

never stop tightening

Implies a relentless and continuous effort to tighten.

always be tightening

Indicates a constant state of tightening as a principle or practice.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep on tightening" to describe a continuous action of making something more secure or restrictive, such as "The company will "keep on tightening security measures"".

What does "keep on tightening" imply?

"Keep on tightening" implies a sustained and persistent effort to make something more firm, strict, or secure over time.

Which phrase is most similar to "keep on tightening"?

A phrase with a similar meaning to "keep on tightening" is "continue to tighten", which also emphasizes ongoing effort.

Is "keep on tightening" formal or informal?

"Keep on tightening" leans towards informal usage. In more formal contexts, consider using "continue to reinforce" or "steadily increase pressure".