kept calling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept calling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the past tense, to indicate that somebody made repeated phone calls over a period of time. For example, "He kept calling her, but she never picked up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I kept calling and calling--Continental airlines, Nippon airlines.

Science Magazine

She kept calling.

The New Yorker

He kept calling her "Ange".

The New York Times

He kept calling her cellphone.

The New York Times

"I kept calling her Carla".

The New Yorker

"They kept calling us.

The New York Times - Sports

"But he kept calling".

The New York Times

But customers kept calling.

The New York Times - Tech

He kept calling me "ladies and gentlemen".

The New Yorker

"Eddy kept calling me," Timoney recalled.

The New Yorker

Even so they kept calling him back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept calling" to emphasize the persistence or repeated nature of someone's attempts to contact another person. This phrase effectively conveys the idea of ongoing effort.

Common error

Avoid using "keep calling" when referring to past actions. "Keep calling" indicates a present or habitual action, while "kept calling" refers to repeated calls in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept calling" functions as a compound verb phrase indicating a repeated action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and common expression. The examples show its use in describing persistent attempts to contact someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept calling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes repeated attempts to contact someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, typically in the past tense. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase serves to emphasize persistence or insistence in communication. When using "kept calling", remember that it refers to past actions and should not be confused with "keep calling", which indicates a present or habitual action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repeatedly called

Emphasizes the act of calling multiple times.

kept phoning

Similar to "kept calling" but uses the word 'phoning'.

persistently phoned

Highlights the determination to reach someone by phone.

continued to call

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the calling.

rang incessantly

Implies a high frequency of calls, possibly to the point of annoyance.

constantly telephoned

Emphasizes the continuous and formal nature of the phone calls.

wouldn't stop calling

Suggests a lack of restraint in making calls.

hounded with calls

Implies an aggressive and unwelcome persistence in calling.

bombarded with calls

Suggests an overwhelming number of calls.

pursued with phone calls

Indicates a determined effort to reach someone through calling.

FAQs

How do I use "kept calling" in a sentence?

Use "kept calling" to describe a past action of repeatedly making phone calls. For example, "He "kept calling" her, even though she didn't answer."

What are some alternatives to "kept calling"?

You can use alternatives like "repeatedly called", "persistently phoned", or "continued to call" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "keep calling" when referring to a past event?

No, "keep calling" refers to a present or habitual action. To describe repeated calls in the past, use ""kept calling"".

What's the difference between "kept calling" and "tried to call"?

"Kept calling" indicates repeated attempts to reach someone by phone, whereas "tried to call" simply means that someone made an effort to call, regardless of whether they called multiple times.