keep stopping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep stopping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a repeated action of halting or pausing, often in a context where someone is unable to maintain a continuous action. Example: "Every time I try to focus on my work, I keep stopping to check my phone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Anyway, I keep stopping.

The New York Times

They want to keep stopping".

The New York Times - Travel

I have to keep stopping and reacting".

The New Yorker

"They just can't keep stopping these things.

The New York Times

They keep stopping and getting applause.

The New Yorker

Their wives keep stopping in, dropping more off.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

They kept stopping and starting.

The New Yorker

The Q train kept stopping.

The New Yorker

He kept stopping to tune his guitar.

The Guardian - Music

People kept stopping to admire it.

The New York Times - Style

It keeps stopping, starting, and scrolling back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or activity, use "keep stopping" to emphasize the interruptions or pauses that occur frequently. This highlights the non-continuous nature of the action.

Common error

While "keep stopping" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "frequently interrupted" or "repeatedly paused" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep stopping" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase, indicating a continuous or repeated action. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, employed to describe the repetitive act of halting or pausing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep stopping" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase to describe the repetitive action of halting or pausing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "keep stopping" is widely accepted, more formal alternatives like "frequently interrupt" or "repeatedly pause" might be preferred in academic writing. When using this phrase, remember it effectively emphasizes the interruptions and non-continuous nature of the activity. Examples from Ludwig highlight its common usage in describing recurring pauses due to different reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to halt

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary to convey the same meaning of persistently ceasing an action.

persist in pausing

This emphasizes the continuous nature of the pauses, similar to "keep stopping".

repeatedly discontinue

This alternative conveys the idea of frequently interrupting a process.

habitually interrupt

This suggests that the stopping is a regular habit.

constantly break off

This phrase emphasizes the breaking or ceasing aspect of the action.

incessantly suspend

Using "suspend" adds a sense of temporary cessation.

cease intermittently

This conveys the sporadic nature of the stopping.

repeatedly come to a standstill

Expresses the idea of halting completely and doing so repeatedly.

pause without end

Focuses on the enduring nature of the pausing.

remain non-continuous

Indicates a lack of continuous action, implying frequent stops.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep stopping" to describe repeated interruptions or pauses in an activity. For example, "I "had to keep stopping" because I was out of breath."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "repeatedly pausing", "frequently interrupting", or "ceasing intermittently" instead of "keep stopping".

Is it grammatically correct to use "keep stopping"?

Yes, "keep stopping" is grammatically correct. It is a gerund phrase that functions as a verb phrase indicating continuous action of halting or pausing.

What are some alternatives to "keep stopping" that highlight different aspects of the action?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "continue to halt" (emphasizing formality), "persist in pausing" (highlighting persistence), or "repeatedly discontinue" (stressing interruption).