keep on wondering

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep on wondering" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express curiosity and uncertainty, suggesting that a person will continue to ponder or think about a particular subject. For example: "I keep on wondering how she managed to balance a career and a family at the same time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I keep on wondering: where is the fire in the belly?

The Guardian - Books

And you may keep on wondering, because a lifetime's worth of weighing others' privacy has left her cautious about her own.

The New York Times - Books

Part of that look was "the pain of an old wound," to bring things full circle to the Carousel pitch from Season 1. Don's primal wounds ensure that he will, until the day he dies, keep on wondering if anyone really loves him and if he's truly capable of love.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I kept on wondering why.

Huffington Post

He kept on wondering how an economy could be rationally planned, without ever wondering whether it should be.

The New Yorker

I felt dissatisfied -- for both of us -- and kept on wondering what it was like to kill.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I kept on wondering: how can I create how can I actually make my misrepresentation?"Whether it is his drawings (made with melted paintsticks), his famous Torqued Ellipses or the Torqued Toruses described above, the quest to change procedure and make something unforeseen has been at the heart of much of what the 69-year-old American artist has done.

The Economist

At the same time I wonder what compels her to keep on telling these stories.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We've always tried to make people think and keep them on edge and keep them wondering what's going on".

The New York Times - Arts

Consumers get better service for less money and technological wonders keep on the move.

TechCrunch

"What is going on?" I kept wondering.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep on wondering" to express ongoing curiosity or uncertainty about a situation, character's motivations, or unresolved issue in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "keep on wondering" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your language with synonyms like "continue to ponder" or "remain curious about" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on wondering" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of ongoing contemplation or speculation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it illustrates continuous, unresolved curiosity about a particular subject or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

12%

Reference

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep on wondering" signifies a state of sustained curiosity or speculation, commonly employed in writing to express ongoing, unresolved thoughts. Grammatically correct and relatively common, as verified by Ludwig, it is most often encountered in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse and consider alternatives such as "continue to ponder" to prevent monotony. Ludwig's examples further illuminate its usage, reinforcing its role in conveying persistent uncertainty and questioning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to ponder

This alternative suggests a more formal and deliberate style of thinking.

keep contemplating

This alternative is closer in meaning, suggesting a prolonged period of thinking about something.

remain curious about

This emphasizes the state of curiosity and active interest in a topic.

be left to speculate

This phrase indicates uncertainty and the need to guess or form opinions without firm evidence.

persist in questioning

This focuses on the act of continuously asking questions and seeking answers.

always thinking about

This conveys the idea of the subject frequently being in one's thoughts.

never stop asking oneself

This alternative conveys a personal and introspective sense of pondering.

perpetually musing on

This implies a more philosophical and contemplative approach to thinking.

dwell on

This suggests lingering on something, often with a slightly negative connotation.

ruminate about

This indicates deep and prolonged thought, often with a hint of worry or anxiety.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep on wondering" to express continuous curiosity or speculation about something. For example: "I "kept on wondering" what the future would hold."

What's a more formal way to say "keep on wondering"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "continue to ponder" or "persist in questioning". These alternatives suggest a more deliberate and thoughtful approach.

Is it correct to say "kept on wondering"?

Yes, "kept on wondering" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. It indicates that the wondering occurred continuously in the past, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

What does "keep on wondering" imply about the speaker's knowledge?

It implies that the speaker lacks definitive information or understanding, leading them to "remain curious about" or speculate about the topic at hand.