keep sailing

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep sailing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a command or encouragement to continue on a journey, both literally and metaphorically. Here are a few examples: 1. "Despite the rough waves, the sailors kept sailing towards their destination." 2. "She faced many obstacles in her career, but she never gave up and kept sailing towards success." 3. "As the sun set over the horizon, the yacht kept sailing into the night." 4. "No matter what challenges come our way, we must keep sailing towards our goals." 5. "The old captain's words echoed in her mind: 'No matter what storms come, keep sailing, my dear.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Statisticians say record prices keep sailing in.

The New York Times

She would like to keep sailing.

The New York Times

We'd all be delighted as he smacked it out of the park again and again and then we'd get tired and want to go home, but he'd get us to bowl some more at him and he'd keep smacking it and the ball would keep sailing over towards the putting green until it was almost dark.

Independent

At 12 times 2006 earnings the stock should keep sailing.

Forbes

We need to tow it to open waters and keep sailing.

TechCrunch

The only way I can afford to keep sailing is by selling good sails.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Mr. Magorium's signature plaything is a paper glider that, once deployed, keeps sailing around the room.

The New York Times

"Captains change, but the ship keeps sailing on," said Ivan, a stagehand who would not give his last name, saying he was wary of angering management by commenting.

The New York Times - Arts

But the crews who signed on for whaling voyages never knew what they might earn, or how long they might be away, since a ship kept sailing until the hold was filled with whalebone and barrels of whale oil.

The New York Times - Books

We kept sailing and saw more of them – an obese woman who showed us her backside as she lolled in the sun, a wizened and naked old man, oiled like a ćevapčići, who was pointing at other boats and yelling things about anchors.

TechCrunch

'As a boy, my grandfather remembered seeing working gabarres on the river, so it's important that we keep them sailing here,' explains Michel Leger, a boat captain and amateur historian, who runs gabarre trips from the riverside port of La Roque Gageac.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep sailing" to encourage perseverance in the face of adversity, both literally and metaphorically.

Common error

Avoid using "keep sailing" in situations where a more direct or modern expression of encouragement would be more suitable, such as in highly technical or business-oriented discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep sailing" primarily functions as an imperative expression, offering encouragement or direction. Ludwig examples show both literal and figurative usages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Books

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Sports

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep sailing" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to encourage persistence and continued effort, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it can be used literally in nautical contexts, it's more often employed metaphorically to motivate ongoing progress toward a goal. It maintains a neutral register and is commonly found in news and media, books, and general writing. Remember to consider the context and audience to ensure its appropriateness. Alternatives such as ""persevere"", ""press on"", and ""stay the course"" can provide similar meaning with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep going

A more casual and general way to express continued effort.

press on

Suggests moving forward with determination, especially when facing obstacles.

stay the course

Highlights the importance of not deviating from a chosen path or plan.

carry on

Implies continuing a task or activity, often after an interruption.

don't give up

Focuses on resisting the urge to quit or surrender.

continue onward

Formally denotes the act of continuously moving or progressing forward.

forge ahead

Suggests making progress with effort, often in a competitive situation.

persist

Emphasizes continuing firmly or obstinately in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.

persevere

Emphasizes steadfastness and determination in the face of adversity.

maintain momentum

Implies keeping up the pace or rate of progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep sailing" to encourage someone to continue pursuing their goals despite difficulties, like "Despite the setbacks, remember to "keep sailing" towards your dreams."

What are some alternatives to "keep sailing"?

Alternatives include "persevere", "press on", or "stay the course", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keep sailing" only used in a nautical context?

No, "keep sailing" can be used metaphorically to encourage perseverance in any endeavor, not just literal sailing.

When is it inappropriate to use "keep sailing"?

It might be unsuitable in very formal or technical contexts where a more direct or modern expression would be preferred. Consider the audience and the tone of your message.