keeps on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'keeps on' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you want to indicate a continuous or repeated action or occurrence. For example: "He keeps on making mistakes, even though he knows what he is doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The switch that keeps on giving.

The New York Times - Sports

"But this thing just keeps on going".

The New York Times

Nodianos keeps on riffing, and his audience keeps on laughing, for more than twelve minutes.

The New Yorker

The cute just keeps on giving.

The Guardian - Tech

The old favourite that keeps on giving.

The Guardian

But "Oppy" keeps on rolling.

BBC

Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving.

Forbes

"It's the gift that keeps on giving".

Forbes

He's the gangster who keeps on giving.

Los Angeles Times

And the joke that keeps on giving.

Huffington Post

Harvey keeps on keeping on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps on" to emphasize the repetitive or continuous nature of an action. For instance, "The rain keeps on falling," highlights the ongoing and perhaps persistent nature of the rainfall.

Common error

Avoid using "keeps on" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "continues to" or "persists in" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps on" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the continuous or repetitive nature of an action. It modifies a verb, adding the dimension of ongoing activity, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "Oppy keeps on rolling" and "The joke that keeps on giving".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb phrase "keeps on" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the continuous or repetitive nature of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in many contexts. While "keeps on" is suitable for general use, more formal alternatives like "continues to" may be preferred in academic or professional writing. The phrase frequently appears in news and media sources to emphasize the duration or persistence of an action, as seen in examples such as "The sun just keeps on shining" from The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continues to

Focuses on the ongoing nature of an action or state.

persists in

Emphasizes a determined continuation despite potential obstacles.

carries on

Implies continuing an activity, often after an interruption or difficulty.

continues with

Highlights the uninterrupted sequence of an action.

goes on

A more general term for continuation, suitable for various contexts.

rolls on

Suggests a smooth, uninterrupted continuation, often of a process or event.

presses on

Indicates a determined effort to continue, especially towards a goal.

perseveres with

Highlights the endurance and determination in continuing an action.

sustains

Implies maintaining or upholding an action or state over a period.

maintains

Focuses on keeping something at a consistent level or in a particular state.

FAQs

What does "keeps on" mean?

"Keeps on" means to continue doing something repeatedly or without stopping. It emphasizes the continuous nature of an action.

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

You can use "keeps on" to describe actions that are happening continuously. For example, "He "keeps on working" even when he's tired".

What can I say instead of "keeps on"?

You can use alternatives like "continues to", "persists in", or "carries on" depending on the context.

Is "keeps on" formal or informal?

"Keeps on" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "continues to" or "persists in".