keep the ball rolling

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep the ball rolling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression meaning to keep a process moving. Example sentence: "Let's keep the ball rolling and brainstorm some new ideas for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Media attention helped keep the ball rolling.

The Economist

There's always something going on; we just need to keep the ball rolling.

The Guardian

"But it meant bigger deals had to come along to keep the ball rolling".

The New York Times

Mr. Griffin also has a more direct plan to keep the ball rolling.

The New York Times

"This is a start, and hopefully we can keep the ball rolling over the next several days," Earnhardt said.

The New York Times - Sports

Here, five more to keep the ball rolling and the tea stewing (as many of Pym's characters prefer it).

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Sophie Wells and Anne Dunham kept the ball rolling with silvers.

The Guardian - Sport

And the frequency of name repetition alone keeps the ball rolling.

The New York Times - Arts

Up next were the MIT/Wellesley Toons, "MIT's and Wellesley's only co-ed" group, and they kept the ball rolling.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Vilanova, the quiet man who has kept the ball rolling after Guardiola's defection, looked as if he never doubted the victory.

The New York Times - Sports

None of the reporters had much to ask him, so a couple of ringers from the public relations office kept the ball rolling.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep the ball rolling" to signal the importance of maintaining momentum after an initial success or during a sustained effort. It encourages continued action and discourages stagnation.

Common error

Avoid using "keep the ball rolling" when initiating a completely new project or idea. This phrase implies there's already existing momentum that needs to be maintained, not created from scratch.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "keep the ball rolling" functions primarily as a verb phrase within a sentence, encouraging the continuation of an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep the ball rolling" is a very common and correct idiomatic expression used to encourage the continuation of a process or maintain momentum. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. Its primary contexts are News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business settings, although its neutral-to-informal register makes it suitable for a variety of situations. To ensure accurate usage, remember that it's best applied when momentum already exists and needs to be sustained. Consider alternatives like "maintain momentum" or "continue the process" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain momentum

Focuses on preserving the existing forward movement, differing slightly by emphasizing the effort to prevent loss of speed.

sustain progress

Emphasizes the act of supporting and prolonging achievements, with a stronger focus on positive outcomes.

continue the process

More literal and less idiomatic, highlighting the act of ongoing procedure rather than sustained energy.

carry on forward

A bit more emphatic, stressing determination to proceed despite potential obstacles.

keep things moving

More general and can apply to any kind of activity, not just those with inherent momentum.

advance the agenda

Focuses specifically on moving a plan or set of goals forward, often in a more formal setting.

move things along

Similar to "keep things moving" but can also imply speeding up a slow process.

prolong the activity

Highlights extending the duration, suitable when time is a key factor.

drive onward

Suggests powerful, almost forceful continuation, implying significant effort.

push forward

Emphasizes effort and overcoming resistance to continue, adding an element of struggle.

FAQs

How can I use "keep the ball rolling" in a sentence?

You can use "keep the ball rolling" to encourage continued progress, like in the sentence: "Now that we've secured the initial funding, let's "keep the ball rolling" by focusing on marketing strategies".

What does "keep the ball rolling" mean?

The phrase "keep the ball rolling" means to maintain momentum, continue a process, or sustain progress. It implies that efforts should be continued to prevent stagnation or loss of gains.

Which is correct, "keep the ball rolling" or "keep the ball rolled"?

"Keep the ball rolling" is correct. "Keep the ball rolled" is grammatically incorrect and not an idiomatic expression.

What are some alternatives to "keep the ball rolling"?

Alternatives to "keep the ball rolling" include "maintain momentum", "continue the process", or "sustain progress". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.