keeps happening

USAGE SUMMARY

"keeps happening" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a repeated action or event. You can use it when something continues to occur or take place regularly or frequently. Example: "Every time I travel, my flight keeps getting delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet it keeps happening.

The New York Times

That keeps happening.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It just keeps happening and keeps happening".

The New York Times - Sports

It just keeps happening.

The Guardian

It keeps happening.

The New York Times - Sports

Except it keeps happening.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Having happened, it keeps happening.

The New Yorker

And that's what keeps happening.

The Guardian - Music

Fingers crossed it keeps happening".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

These things keep happening".

The New York Times

And it kept happening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps happening" to express frustration or surprise when something undesirable or unexpected recurs frequently. It adds a touch of informal emphasis to the repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "keeps happening" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "recurs frequently" or "demonstrates a persistent pattern" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps happening" functions as a compound verb phrase, indicating the continuous or repeated nature of an event. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's used to express recurrence, often with an implication of frustration or surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keeps happening" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe recurring events, often with a tone of frustration or surprise. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a compound verb phrase and is predominantly found in News & Media contexts. While its straightforward nature makes it accessible, writers should be mindful of its informal register and consider more formal alternatives like "continues to occur" or "persistently occurs" in academic or professional settings. Remember, the key is to tailor your language to the specific audience and purpose of your writing to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happens repeatedly

Directly indicates multiple instances of happening.

continues to occur

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the occurrence, sounding slightly more formal.

is always recurring

Focuses on the continuous cycle of the event's appearance.

is a recurring event

Frames the situation as a recognizable pattern or event.

persists in occurring

Highlights the stubborn or unwavering nature of the event's recurrence.

this occurs time and again

Emphasizes the repeated nature using a more descriptive and emphatic style.

recurrence is frequent

Focuses on the high frequency of the recurrence.

it's a constant repetition

Highlights the unchanging and continuous nature of the occurrence.

the trend continues

Highlights that the situation is part of an ongoing trend or pattern.

it's a perpetual occurrence

Indicates that the event happens endlessly or indefinitely.

FAQs

How can I use "keeps happening" in a sentence?

You can use "keeps happening" to describe a recurring event or situation, such as "I try to avoid traffic, but it "keeps happening"".

What are some alternatives to "keeps happening"?

Alternatives include phrases like "continues to occur", "happens repeatedly", or "recurrence is frequent" depending on the context.

Is "keeps happening" formal or informal?

"Keeps happening" is generally considered informal. More formal options would be "recurs frequently" or "persistently occurs".

What's the difference between "keeps happening" and "is always happening"?

"Keeps happening" implies a sense of repeated occurrence, possibly with surprise or frustration, while "is always happening" suggests a continuous state without necessarily implying repetition or emotion.