keeps getting further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps getting further" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is continuously moving away or becoming more distant over time. Example: "As the deadline approaches, my understanding of the project keeps getting further from what I initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Success can seem so close, but it keeps getting further away.

The New York Times - Sports

"And the minimum wage will set the floor as the ceiling keeps getting further and further apart".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I kept getting further and further away from the guy I really was, creating this superhero identity.

The New York Times - Arts

They've been playing these basement gigs around town for about five years that just keep getting further and further off the chain.

Vice

Once we were going to be triggering article 50 the day after the country voted to leave the EU but now it keeps getting kicked further and further into the long grass.

The Guardian

The Droid Bionic has been enjoying its share of attention for months now, even as its release date keeps getting pushed further and further back.

TechCrunch

For the last few decades, Vester points out, programmers have been promising the public that soon, any day now really, computers will be smarter than humans, and "that utopian dream keeps getting pushed further and further in front of us," he says.

Vice

Timothy Kramer, the executive director of the New York State School Board Association, said he was concerned that legislation to toughen standards for teacher tenure "keeps getting watered down further and further".

The New York Times

And, election cycle after election cycle, it keeps getting pushed back further and further, until it will (in the near future) become almost mandatory for presidential hopefuls to move to Iowa (to prepare for their run) about one week after a new president is sworn in.

Huffington Post

Despite naysayers claiming Facebook is bound to lose its cool and hit a wall, it keeps getting bigger and is further solidifying its status as a critical communication utility.

TechCrunch

The nature of work has changed young people today are unlikely to have the same job from the age of 14 right up until retirement (which is something they may never reach considering the goalposts keep getting moved further and further into old age).

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps getting further" to describe situations where something is not just distant, but is actively becoming more so over time. This implies a continuous process rather than a static state.

Common error

Avoid using "keeps getting further" when you simply mean something is already distant. The phrase specifically indicates a continuous process of distancing, not a fixed position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps getting further" primarily functions as a dynamic descriptor, indicating a continuous action or process of increasing distance. Ludwig examples show it describing deadlines, goals, or even personal connections that are not only distant but are actively moving farther away. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keeps getting further" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe a continuous process of distancing. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and usable. Its primary function is to emphasize the ongoing nature of separation, often conveying a sense of frustration or increasing challenge. While versatile, it's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. Be mindful that "keeps getting further" describes a change over time, not a static position. Alternatives like "increasingly distant" or "continuously receding" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly distant

Focuses on the state of being distant rather than the process of becoming so.

continuously receding

Implies a gradual movement backward or away.

progressively remote

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of becoming remote or inaccessible.

drifting further away

Suggests a passive, less directed movement.

sliding into the distance

Conveys a sense of effortless or uncontrolled movement away.

moving further afield

Implies movement into a broader, less familiar area.

becoming more estranged

Focuses on the breakdown of a relationship or connection.

gradually diverging

Highlights the act of separating or branching off.

extending into the beyond

Indicates an expansion or reach into an undefined space.

amplifying in separation

Emphasizes an increasing disparity or distinction as things move apart.

FAQs

How can I use "keeps getting further" in a sentence?

You can use "keeps getting further" to describe a situation where something is continuously moving away or becoming more distant. For example, "As the project progresses, the deadline "keeps getting further" from our reach."

What's a synonym for "keeps getting further"?

Alternatives to "keeps getting further" include "increasingly distant", "continuously receding", or "drifting further away". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "kept getting further"?

Yes, "kept getting further" is the past tense version of "keeps getting further". It indicates that something was continuously moving away or becoming more distant in the past.

When is it inappropriate to use "keeps getting further"?

Avoid using "keeps getting further" if the subject you are describing isn't in motion or changing its distance. Use it to describe an active process of distancing, not a fixed state of remoteness. For example, instead of "The destination keeps getting further", you should say "The destination is far away" if it's a static distance.