keep returning

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep returning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone or something repeatedly going back to the same place or when talking about repeatedly doing something. For example, "The migratory birds keep returning to their birthplace every spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And customers keep returning.

The New York Times

Still, he will keep returning until retirement.

The New Yorker

Why do you keep returning to love as a subject?

The New Yorker

And throughout, we keep returning to the titular siege.

The New York Times - Books

We keep returning to look at this beautiful illustration.

Princeton University

Why do we keep returning to these ancient texts?

The Guardian - Opinion

"People keep returning to comfort foods for breakfast.

The New York Times

Instead, I keep returning to a sort of family tree.

The Guardian - Books

It's natural that we would keep returning to that well.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is a gift, and we keep returning it.

The New York Times

But why do film-makers keep returning to inanimate objects?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep returning", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being returned to, whether it's a physical location, a topic, or a state of mind.

Common error

Avoid using "keep returning" when you simply mean to state a single return or a general preference. This phrase emphasizes repeated action; use "return" if the context only involves a one-time action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep returning" functions as a verb phrase indicating a repeated action or recurring event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It describes the act of going back to a place, topic, or state multiple times.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep returning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a recurring action or tendency. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is correct in written English. It is commonly found in News & Media, Academic and Scientific contexts, signaling its versatility across different registers. To effectively use "keep returning", ensure the context highlights the repetitive nature of the action and that the subject-verb agreement is accurate. Alternatives such as ""repeatedly go back"" and ""always come back"" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

always come back

This conveys a sense of inevitability or a strong tendency to return.

repeatedly go back

This is a more straightforward way to express the idea of going back multiple times.

tend to return

This indicates a inclination or propensity to return.

habitually return

This implies that returning is a habit or regular occurrence.

persist in returning

This emphasizes the determination or stubbornness in returning.

regularly revisit

Implies a structured or scheduled return.

continually revisit

This suggests a pattern of revisiting, often in thought or discussion.

frequently reappear

This emphasizes the reappearance aspect, often used for recurring themes or issues.

invariably revert

This suggests a consistent and predictable return to a previous state or behavior.

constantly circle back

This suggests a continuous process of returning, often in discussions or projects.

FAQs

How can I use "keep returning" in a sentence?

You can use "keep returning" to describe a recurring action or tendency. For example, "Tourists "keep returning" to the museum because of its fascinating exhibits".

What are some alternatives to "keep returning"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "repeatedly go back", "always come back", or "habitually return" to express similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "keeps returning" instead of "keep returning"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "keeps returning" for singular subjects (e.g., "He keeps returning") and "keep returning" for plural subjects (e.g., "They keep returning").

What's the difference between "keep returning" and "return"?

"Return" refers to a single instance of going back, while "keep returning" implies a repeated or continuous action of going back multiple times. For example, "He will return tomorrow" versus "He "keep returning" every summer".