keeps turning up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps turning up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that appears repeatedly or unexpectedly in various situations. Example: "Despite our efforts to move on, the issue keeps turning up in our discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Music

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But documentation keeps turning up.

The New York Times - Arts

And stuff keeps turning up.

The New York Times

New information keeps turning up.

The New York Times - Books

But fatherhood keeps turning up.

The Guardian - Film

Throughout the menu, mustard keeps turning up.

The New York Times - Arts

EVIDENCE of past atrocities keeps turning up in Sri Lanka.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Forgotten paintings keep turning up.

The New York Times - Arts

Familiar faces keep turning up.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Oddities in the field keep turning up.

The New York Times - Arts

The MCs just kept turning up.

The Guardian - Music

Blackjack after blackjack kept turning up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps turning up" to describe recurring themes, objects, or people in narratives or analyses. For example, "The motif of water consistently keeps turning up throughout the novel."

Common error

While "keeps turning up" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for synonyms like "recurrently appears" or "persistently emerges" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps turning up" functions as a verb phrase indicating recurrence or repeated appearance. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across various contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

20%

Books

15%

Less common in

Music

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keeps turning up" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that repeatedly appears or occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; more formal alternatives like "recurrently appears" or "persistently emerges" may be preferable in academic or professional settings. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Arts, and Books, according to the examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keeps resurfacing

Similar to 'surfaces' but with a stronger implication of previous concealment.

persistently reappears

Stresses the tenacity and recurrence of something.

repeatedly surfaces

Highlights the repeated nature of something becoming visible or known.

recurrently manifests

Highlights the cyclical nature of something becoming evident.

continually appears

Focuses on the continuous nature of the appearance.

frequently arises

Highlights the common occurrence or origination of something.

incessantly crops up

Implies a more annoying or unwelcome recurrence.

constantly emerges

Emphasizes the consistent arrival or rise of something.

regularly shows up

Uses a more informal tone, emphasizing the regularity of appearance.

uninterruptedly arises

Focuses on the continuous nature of the appearance without any pause.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "keeps turning up"?

It means something repeatedly appears or occurs, often unexpectedly or in various contexts. It suggests a recurring pattern or presence.

How can I use "keeps turning up" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe recurring elements. For example, "Despite our efforts to resolve the issue, it "keeps turning up" in every meeting."

What are some alternatives to "keeps turning up"?

You can use alternatives like "repeatedly appears", "continually surfaces", or "persistently reappears" depending on the context and desired level of formality. "Persistently reappears" often suggests a more forceful or unwanted recurrence.

Is "keeps turning up" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, it may be perceived as informal. Consider using more formal synonyms such as "recurrently appears" or "frequently arises" in academic or professional contexts.