keeps on dialing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps on dialing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who continues to make phone calls repeatedly, often in a persistent manner. Example: "Despite the busy signal, she keeps on dialing until she finally gets through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unfortunately, it actually can, and for some reason keeps on dialing in the 1970s.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In pursuit of his aching pout, Baldwin kept on dialling up the inexorability, thereby tapping into any sane person's deepest fear about the Donald: that he was built in a fully automated factory whose android engineers had studied no human being except a bilious infant in a cot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I go so far as to establish first-name relationships with plastic surgeons and dermatologists, their private cellphone numbers the only ones I keep on my auto-dial.

The New York Times

"Or you have to have a trusted mechanic who you can keep on your speed dial".

The New York Times

Stephanie kept one hand on her friend's neck wound and dialled 911 with her other, keeping the pressure on Allie's punctured vein for the whole rampage, before carrying her to an ambulance.

Independent

Keep one jaw of the dial gauge in place and sweep the other back and forth.

WikiHow

"We told them, 'Just hang on, keep trying.' " Adrian Casteel of Nashville, who said he owed $6,000 in medical bills, said he repeatedly got a recorded message but kept dialing.

The New York Times

She kept dialing her husband.

The New York Times

Keep on, keep on.

The New Yorker

Such talk is ridiculous, although Mr. Obama doesn't hide the fact that he keeps Urkel on speed-dial "because you never know".

The New York Times

"You have to keep your eyes on dials and gauges of this show.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps on dialing" to emphasize persistence or repetition in making phone calls. It's suitable when you want to convey that someone is not giving up easily in their attempt to connect.

Common error

While "keeps on dialing" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "continues to dial" or "persistently dials" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps on dialing" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a continuous or repeated action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It describes the act of repeatedly attempting to make a phone call.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

21%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keeps on dialing" is a verb phrase that effectively conveys the idea of persistent attempts to make a phone call. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. It's commonly found in news and media sources, as well as in general writing. While "keeps on dialing" is a valid expression, it's advisable to use it judiciously and consider alternatives like "continues to dial" or "persistently dials" to avoid repetition. Using a variety of synonyms improves the writing experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continues to dial

Replaces "keeps on" with "continues to", maintaining the sense of ongoing action. It's a more formal alternative.

persistently dials

Emphasizes the unwavering nature of the dialing action by using "persistently".

repeatedly dials

Highlights the repetitive nature of the dialing action.

keeps calling

Simplifies the phrase by replacing "dialing" with the more general term "calling".

insistently dials

Suggests a forceful or demanding quality to the act of dialing.

dials again and again

Expresses the repetition of dialing in a more descriptive way.

won't stop dialing

Highlights the determination of the person dialing, implying a refusal to give up.

constantly dials

Indicates that the dialing action is happening very frequently.

unremittingly dials

Emphasizes the ceaseless and relentless nature of the dialing.

keeps redialing

Specifies that the action involves redialing, implying a previous attempt was unsuccessful.

FAQs

What does "keeps on dialing" mean?

The phrase "keeps on dialing" means someone is repeatedly attempting to make a phone call, often without success initially. It implies persistence in trying to connect with someone by phone.

Is it more correct to say "keeps dialing" instead of "keeps on dialing"?

Both "keeps dialing" and "keeps on dialing" are grammatically correct and widely used. The addition of "on" slightly emphasizes the continuous nature of the action, but the difference in meaning is minimal. "Keeps dialing" is often preferred for its conciseness.

What are some alternative ways to say "keeps on dialing"?

You can use alternatives like "continues to dial", "repeatedly dials", or "persistently dials" to convey the same meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

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

You can use "keeps on dialing" in a sentence like: "Despite the busy signal, she "keeps on dialing", determined to get through." or "He "keeps on dialing" her number, hoping she'll finally answer."