kept coming back

USAGE SUMMARY

"kept coming back" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that happens repeatedly or persistently. Example: Despite my efforts to avoid him, he kept coming back to ask me for help with his project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The president kept coming back to him.

The New York Times

They all kept coming back to food.

The New Yorker

"They kept coming back election after election.

The New York Times

He just kept coming back at me".

Independent

"We kept coming back to Kirkman".

The New York Times

But Saracens kept coming back.

The Guardian - Sport

The Braves kept coming back.

The New York Times - Sports

And he kept coming back to that.

The New York Times

We answered, but they kept coming back".

The New York Times - Sports

They kept coming back for more.

The New York Times

He kept coming back to those killings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept coming back" to emphasize persistence or recurrence. This phrase is effective in conveying the idea that something or someone returned repeatedly despite obstacles or resistance.

Common error

While "came back" indicates a return, it lacks the emphasis on repetition that "kept coming back" provides. Be sure to use "kept coming back" when you want to highlight the repeated nature of the return, not just a single instance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept coming back" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a repeated action of returning. As shown in Ludwig, it suggests persistence or recurrence. It modifies a verb, adding the nuance of continuous or repeated return.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept coming back" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to emphasize repeated returns or recurrences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates persistence or the continuous nature of an action. The phrase appears predominantly in news and media contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples. While alternatives like "returned repeatedly" and "persisted in returning" exist, "kept coming back" provides a direct and widely understood way to convey the idea of continuous return.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept on returning

A more emphatic way of saying the same thing, highlighting the continuous nature of returning.

returned repeatedly

This alternative emphasizes the act of returning multiple times, highlighting the repetitive nature.

persisted in returning

This phrase stresses the continuous effort of returning, indicating a determined or unwavering action.

repeatedly reappeared

This alternative focuses on the act of appearing again and again, emphasizing the recurring visibility.

never stopped coming back

Highlights the idea that the object or subject in question did not desist.

remained persistent

This highlights the ongoing nature of persistence, focusing less on the physical return and more on the enduring quality.

made frequent comebacks

This option evokes the idea of making multiple attempts to return to a previous state or position.

reoccurred frequently

This option emphasizes the frequent happening of something again, suggesting a pattern of recurrence.

continually revisited

This option suggests revisiting a topic, memory or place continually.

haunted again and again

This gives a connotation of repetition that is unwanted and unwelcome.

FAQs

How can I use "kept coming back" in a sentence?

Use "kept coming back" to describe a repeated return or recurrence. For example: "Despite the challenges, he "kept coming back" to the same problem," or "The customer "kept coming back" to our store because of our excellent service".

What are some alternatives to "kept coming back"?

You can use alternatives such as "returned repeatedly", "persisted in returning", or "repeatedly reappeared" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "keeps coming back" instead of "kept coming back"?

Yes, both are correct but they differ in tense. "Keeps coming back" implies a present, ongoing action, while "kept coming back" refers to a repeated action in the past.

What's the difference between "kept going back" and "kept coming back"?

"Kept going back" implies a return to a specific place or activity, while "kept coming back" can refer to returning to a place, a topic, or even a state of mind. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.