keeps on burning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps on burning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that continues to burn or persist in a burning state over time. Example: "The campfire keeps on burning despite the rain, providing warmth and light to the campers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The firing of white phosphorus, which keeps on burning for days after it is discharged, on alleys where kids are playing?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the absence of a concrete plan to roll back our reliance on coal, oil and gas, governments are kicking around climate "solutions" that let countries keep on burning them.

Huffington Post

Translation: "We'll keep on burning the stuff that poor people burn until we get rich".

Forbes

How can it keep on burning for millions of years?

The New Yorker

But at present, as China's waste problem keeps growing, the country most certainly needs to keep on burning.

The Economist

But Peabody's current financial state is analogous to its "energy poverty" argument and the wider plea from the fossil fuel industry to keep on burning.

The Guardian

Once it stuck to you, he says, flesh kept on burning, "right down to the bone".Mr Saotome, now 83, is about to mark the anniversary of Tokyo's firebombing in 1945.

The Economist

A central message is the need to curb carbon emissions in order to avoid climate disruption, a reality acknowledged by the Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden in a recent Guardian article (We cannot keep on burning carbon, says Shell boss, 23 May).

The Guardian

"I know it will keep on burning for many years to come, even longer after it's extinguished after the Paralympic Games".

BBC

"For a fire to keep on burning late into the night, you need the logs to catch, and the world's economic firewood has long since been soaked by oversupply and feeble demand now exacerbated by a post-bubble psychology discouraging risk taking," observes Gross, who still believes stocks are overvalued.

Forbes

Especially since while the big swinging dicks gathered in Watford, England, last weekend, unemployment in the UK continued to rise, cities in Turkey kept on burning, and the war in Syria remained the stuff of nightmares.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps on burning" to emphasize the continuous or persistent nature of something, whether literal fire or a metaphorical concept like passion or interest.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "continues to burn" or "remains alight".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps on burning" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action or state of combustion. Ludwig AI examples show it used to describe both literal fires and metaphorical persistence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keeps on burning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the idea of continuous combustion or persistent activity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is appropriate across various contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "continues to burn". Its primary function is descriptive, often emphasizing resilience or endurance. While suitable for general use, writers should consider the register and audience when choosing between "keeps on burning" and its more formal counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continues to burn

A more direct and slightly more formal way of expressing the same idea.

burns continuously

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the burning process.

remains alight

Focuses on the state of being lit, implying a sustained flame or fire.

persists in burning

Highlights the endurance or stubbornness of the burning.

burns without ceasing

A more emphatic way to express continuous burning, suggesting it never stops.

remains in flames

Focuses on the visual aspect of continuous burning with visible flames.

retains its flame

Suggests that the flame is maintained despite potential challenges.

continues to be ignited

Highlights that the burning sensation remains triggered or inflamed.

burns perpetually

Implies that the burning continues indefinitely or forever.

sustains combustion

A more technical term emphasizing the chemical process of burning.

FAQs

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

You can use "keeps on burning" to describe something that continuously burns or remains ignited, like "The pilot light "keeps on burning" in the furnace."

What are some alternatives to "keeps on burning"?

Alternatives include "continues to burn", "remains alight", or "burns continuously". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "keeps on burning" too informal for academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "keeps on burning" might be perceived as informal in some academic contexts. Consider more formal alternatives like "persists in burning" or "sustains combustion".

What does it mean when something "keeps on burning" metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "keeps on burning" can describe something that persists or remains active, such as a passion that "keeps on burning" despite challenges.