keeps on hanging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps on hanging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that continues to remain suspended or unresolved, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The decision about the project keeps on hanging, leaving the team in uncertainty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We don't know if these people fit the profile of an older heroin user as described by Professors Shane Darke and Michael Farrell of the National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre at the University of NSW: in and out of jail, impoverished, the addiction that just keeps on hanging on over the decades.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's what the Democrats keep on hanging out there".

The New York Times

That almost everything in Mr. Keller's kitchen was similarly considered, recast and rendered as an essence of itself, made a certain kind of sense, given an anonymous quotation that he keeps on the clipboard hanging above his desk.

The New York Times - Food

Ms. Aniston proudly shows herself off in a bikini — and looks great, it must be said — while Mr. Sandler keeps his shirt on, hanging loosely over his baggy pants.

The New York Times

And though the idea is to keep viewers hanging on week to week, the premiere episode (Oct . 30on Fox, a late start because of baseball) resolves mini-crises in a satisfying way.

The New York Times - Arts

It's not that he is circuitous, it's more a kind of ellipsis, or maybe an ambush - anyway, he keeps you hanging on.

The Guardian - Film

We made it.' No one really comes here for the sunny weather, even if that's what keeps them hanging on in the end.

The Guardian - Film

Perhaps, rather than the mystique, it's the sense of knowledge that keeps them hanging on – that perpetual feeling of opening the city up like a pocket watch and seeing its cogs and springs all whirring away inside.

The Guardian

It isn't garden-variety Luddism that keeps them hanging on, rather it's the love of the shift action, the push and pull, the stab and release.

BBC

The imperial politics are craftily resonant and the story keeps us hanging on".

Wikipedia

In some cases passion and commitment to a higher cause keeps them hanging on.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps on hanging" to describe situations or problems that persistently remain unresolved or suspended. It's suitable when emphasizing the ongoing nature of the lack of resolution.

Common error

Avoid using "keeps on hanging" in overly formal or academic writing. It might sound too colloquial; instead, opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "remains unresolved" or "continues to linger".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps on hanging" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of continuous suspension or unresolved status. It's often used to describe problems or decisions that remain pending. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keeps on hanging" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe something that remains unresolved or suspended over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, although the phrase appears relatively rare. It is generally suitable for neutral contexts like news reporting, but it might be less fitting for formal academic or scientific writing. Alternative phrases like "remains unresolved" or "continues to linger" may be more appropriate in those settings. While not frequently encountered, "keeps on hanging" effectively conveys the idea of persistent irresolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Remains suspended

Focuses on the state of being suspended, implying a temporary hold or lack of finality.

Continues to linger

Replaces "keeps on" with "continues to", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the state, and uses "linger" instead of "hanging" for a more subtle implication of persistence.

Continues to be unresolved

Emphasizes the ongoing lack of resolution, rather than the image of something hanging.

Persistently remains

Substitutes "keeps on hanging" with "persistently remains", focusing on the steadfast nature of something's existence or state.

Continues without resolution

Directly states the lack of resolution as the key aspect of the continuation.

Lingering on

Uses a simpler verb phrase to convey the idea of continuing or persisting in a less forceful way.

Unresolved issues continue

Rephrases the idea to highlight the unresolved nature of issues that persist, rather than focusing on the action of 'hanging'.

Stays pending

Highlights the pending nature, suitable for situations awaiting a decision or outcome.

Remains in suspense

Changes the image to one of suspense, suggesting an unresolved situation that creates anticipation.

Perseveres relentlessly

Conveys a stronger sense of determination and continuation, implying a forceful persistence.

FAQs

What does "keeps on hanging" mean?

The phrase "keeps on hanging" means that something is continuously remaining in an unresolved or suspended state. It implies that an issue or situation is not being dealt with and is persisting over time.

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

You can use "keeps on hanging" to describe a problem or situation that is not being resolved. For example, "The decision about the budget /s/continues+to+linger/, and the uncertainty is affecting our planning."

What are some alternatives to "keeps on hanging"?

Some alternatives to "keeps on hanging" include /s/persistently+remains/, /s/remains+suspended/, or /s/continues+to+be+unresolved/. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "keeps on hanging" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "keeps on hanging" may be considered too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "remains unresolved" or /s/unresolved+issues+continue/ in such contexts.