kept cropping up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept cropping up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that repeatedly appears or occurs, often unexpectedly or annoyingly. Example: "During our discussions, the same issues kept cropping up, making it difficult to reach a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Reminders of children kept cropping up unexpectedly.

The New York Times - Travel

But Susan Greer kept cropping up in their talks.

The New Yorker

Hollywood movies kept cropping up in "Surprise Attack".

The New Yorker

That word — adjust — kept cropping up with great frequency".

The New York Times

Women also kept cropping up as witnesses in West and East German investigations after the war.

The New York Times

One figure has kept cropping up again and again: £8 billion.

Independent

Jennifer Goggans and Koji Mizuta kept cropping up together in duets.

The New York Times - Arts

But problems kept cropping up, including the heartache of childlessness, and they never made it.

The Guardian - Film

Visions of the Caribbean island kept cropping up in his work, so he decided to move there.

The Economist

Over the next decade or so the name of that ship kept cropping up – in TV documentaries, books, newspaper articles.

The Guardian - Books

In connection with Suez and other events, John Foster Dulles's name kept cropping up in the letters, and not always in a flattering way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept cropping up" to describe recurring issues, ideas, or elements that appear unexpectedly or persistently in a conversation, text, or situation. It suggests a sense of inevitability or frequent reoccurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "kept cropping up" when you simply mean something happened more than once. This phrase implies the recurrence was somewhat unexpected or noteworthy, not just a matter of course.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept cropping up" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the repeated and often unexpected appearance of something. As Ludwig suggests, it describes recurrence with a hint of surprise or persistence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept cropping up" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the frequent and often unexpected recurrence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's important to use it when the recurrence is noteworthy, rather than simply indicating repetition. Semantically related alternatives include "repeatedly arose" and "surfaced frequently". Remember to use "kept cropping up" when you want to emphasize the repetitive and somewhat surprising nature of an event or idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept recurring

Direct synonym, emphasizing continuous recurrence.

recurred often

Focuses on the frequent recurrence of an event or topic.

surfaced frequently

Highlights the frequent emergence of something.

reappeared repeatedly

Emphasizes the repeated nature of the reappearance.

persistently appeared

Emphasizes the persistent nature of the appearance.

resurfaced constantly

Implies a constant return to the surface or attention.

repeatedly arose

Focuses on the act of something rising or coming up again and again.

emerged periodically

Suggests that the appearance happens at regular intervals.

materialized repeatedly

Highlights the repeated materialization of something, often unexpectedly.

remained a recurring theme

Highlights recurrence as a theme or motif.

FAQs

How can I use "kept cropping up" in a sentence?

You can use "kept cropping up" to describe recurring issues, ideas, or elements. For example, "During the meeting, budget concerns "kept cropping up", diverting the discussion from the main topic."

What's a good alternative to "kept cropping up"?

Alternatives include phrases like "repeatedly arose", "surfaced frequently", or "kept recurring", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "kept cropping up" formal or informal?

"Kept cropping up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news and media or everyday conversation.

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

When something "keeps cropping up", it means it appears or occurs repeatedly, often unexpectedly or perhaps annoyingly. It suggests that the issue or topic is persistent and difficult to avoid.