keeps going on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps going on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're trying to describe a situation in which something continues for an extended period of time. For example, "The rain kept going on for days, leaving the streets flooded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SH: Of course, he has done another project called Mystery; he keeps going on, that one.

Huffington Post

At one point, "TB said to him the fact that he keeps going on about it is what leads people to conclude that it might be true".

Independent

But the spending keeps going on".

The New York Times

Plus, he keeps going on holiday.

The Guardian - Opinion

It keeps going on just like that.

The New Yorker

"It keeps going on," Mr. Wiseman said.

The New York Times

"That is a conversation that keeps going on," she said.

The New York Times

Your life keeps going on, whether you are ready for it to or not.

Stanford University

But the soloist keeps going on brief, fidgety excursions before settling back into a melodic grove.

The New York Times - Arts

Those butterflies that crazy bloke keeps going on about shouldn't even be in this country.

The Guardian

That's very difficult for Corbyn to oppose since he keeps going on about democracy in the party".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps going on" to describe events or situations that continue for an extended, often indefinite, period. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "keeps going on" is versatile, consider more formal alternatives like "continues" or "persists" in academic or professional documents for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps going on" primarily functions as a phrasal verb expressing the continuation of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keeps going on" is a versatile and common way to express the continuation of an action or state, as validated by Ludwig AI. While grammatically sound and used across diverse contexts, it leans towards a neutral to informal register. In formal settings, consider alternatives like "continues" or "persists" for a more polished tone. Its frequent appearance in news and media reflects its broad applicability in describing ongoing events. The linguistic analysis highlights its function as a phrasal verb, emphasizing persistence and prolonged duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continues to happen

Replaces the phrasal verb with a more formal verb phrase, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the event.

persists in occurring

Uses stronger vocabulary to convey a sense of unwavering continuation, suitable for more serious contexts.

is still happening

Simplifies the phrase to its core meaning, suitable for informal communication.

carries on relentlessly

Adds an adverb to emphasize the uninterrupted and forceful nature of the continuation.

marches onward

Uses a metaphorical expression to depict forward movement and continuation, adding a sense of progress or determination.

remains in progress

Formal alternative focusing on the state of being underway, suitable for reports or official updates.

unfolds continuously

Emphasizes the gradual and uninterrupted nature of the process or event.

is perpetually ongoing

Highlights the never-ending aspect of the situation, suitable for exaggerating the sense of continuation.

sustains its momentum

Focuses on the energy and drive that keeps something in motion, applicable to projects or movements.

endures without ceasing

Elevated language indicating continuation despite potential challenges or obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "keeps going on" in a sentence?

You can use "keeps going on" to describe something that continues for a long time. For example, "The party "kept going on" until sunrise."

What are some alternatives to "keeps going on"?

Alternatives include "continues to happen", "persists in occurring", or "is still happening", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "keeps going on" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "keeps going on" might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. Consider using more sophisticated vocabulary such as "continues" or "persists" for a more polished effect.

What's the difference between "keeps going on" and "continues"?

"Keeps going on" often implies a prolonged or repetitive action, while "continues" is a more general term for something that doesn't stop. "The construction "continues" despite the weather" sounds more formal than "The construction "keeps going on" despite the weather".