keep on waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep on waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has been waiting for something and they need to wait a little while longer. For example: "I'm sorry, but you'll have to keep on waiting until the doctor is ready to see you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Clearly, not everyone has £5,000 of savings lying around – but with an average deposit in London around the £90,000 mark, you can see why people with a propensity for saving a little each month might be tempted to invest in one of these schemes, rather than keep on waiting another decade or two, hoping that prices don't rise as exponentially as they have for the last ten years.

Vice

But they will have to keep on waiting.

The New York Times

"If we keep on waiting that things will change, it will never ever happen.

Independent

"We may wait for 10 years for something and nothing happens, but still we keep on waiting.

The New York Times

The agency was utterly unprepared for the surge, and so tens of thousands of Americans-in-waiting will have to keep on waiting.

The New York Times

What we can't do is keep on waiting until we're 100% sure or until others lead us to the "right" answer.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

After all, we medical students are the masters of delayed gratification and would have kept on waiting till we had enough marshmallows to make s'mores.

Stanford University

The compact retro car was in such high demand when it debuted in 2000 that buyers were kept on waiting lists.

Los Angeles Times

In another study, a mother in Tanzania shared her experience of neglect: " they placed me on a labour bed, and they just sat there chatting, when you yell with pain, they say you just wait, shouting from where they were, "you are not yet ready for delivery", so I kept on waiting while being tortured with pain" [ 85].

Globalization and Health

So the Free Theatre has to keep one step ahead of the authorities: audience members are kept on a waiting list of 1,500, and alerted to a performance by text message or email, at very short notice.

The Guardian

Half were kept on a waiting list; the other half were divided into groups of twenty-six and participated in a three-day-long session, led by an experienced therapist (a best-case scenario, given the haphazard quality of the field).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep on waiting" to emphasize the prolonged or continuous nature of waiting for something, especially when the wait is frustrating or uncertain.

Common error

While "keep on waiting" is grammatically correct, it can sound informal. In professional or academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives such as "continue to wait" or "persist in waiting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on waiting" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the continuation of an action. It conveys the idea of sustained anticipation or delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep on waiting" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys the continuation of a waiting period, often with a hint of frustration. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts and less frequent in more formal settings. While direct and easily understood, it's important to consider the tone and context when choosing this phrase over more formal alternatives like "continue to wait". Remember that while "keep on waiting" is widely accepted, using more precise and formal language might be beneficial in certain writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep waiting

A shorter, more common alternative with the same basic meaning.

just wait

A simple and direct instruction to wait, often used to express a lack of alternatives.

continue to wait

More formal and direct, lacking the emphasis on persistence.

persist in waiting

Emphasizes the continuous and unwavering nature of waiting.

remain patient

Highlights the virtue of patience during a waiting period.

wait it out

Focuses on enduring a difficult or unpleasant waiting period until it ends.

hold on

Implies a temporary state of waiting, often with an expectation of imminent change.

bide your time

Suggests waiting strategically for the right opportunity.

stay put

Emphasizes remaining in place while waiting, rather than actively anticipating.

keep holding your breath

A figurative expression implying a long and uncertain wait.

FAQs

What does "keep on waiting" mean?

The phrase "keep on waiting" means to continue to wait, often implying that the waiting period is longer or more tedious than expected. It emphasizes the persistence required during the wait.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "keep on waiting"?

It's appropriate to use "keep on waiting" in situations where you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the wait and perhaps express a sense of impatience or frustration with the delay. It is suitable for informal communication and narratives.

Are there more formal alternatives to "keep on waiting"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "continue to wait" or "persist in waiting" for more formal contexts. These options convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

How does "keep on waiting" differ from "just wait"?

"Just wait" is a simple instruction to wait, while "keep on waiting" implies a prolonged or perhaps unwanted continuation of the waiting period. The former is neutral, while the latter often carries a connotation of frustration or resignation.