kept deteriorating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept deteriorating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that has been worsening over time. Example: "Despite our efforts to maintain the equipment, it kept deteriorating, leading to frequent breakdowns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Despite Mr. Biederman's attempts at maintaining a lower profile, his relationship with the Giuliani administration kept deteriorating.

The New York Times

Yet the state's fiscal condition kept deteriorating, battered by a steep downturn, a heavy reliance on the financial sector and decades of unsound policy choices.

The New York Times

She was told that it was just a temporary political situation and that it would all settle down, but circumstances in Zimbabwe kept deteriorating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They also said forecasts for next quarter suggested corporate sentiment might not worsen, but it would be "quite some time" before any big upturn came in the real economy, because corporate earnings kept deteriorating and production capacity and employment levels were considered "highly excessive".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"With e-mail, writing just keeps deteriorating".

The New York Times

If the economic outlook keeps deteriorating, that will not last.

The Economist

People in these areas also desperately need assistance and protection, yet access to them keeps deteriorating".

The Guardian

"The labor market is clearly deteriorating, and it's highly likely to keep deteriorating," said Andrew Tilton, an economist at Goldman Sachs.

The New York Times

Like many banks, Citi is finding that its finances keep deteriorating as the economy continues to weaken.

The New York Times

Kiev city council has already said Maidan should be turned into an ice-skating ring from December 15th.As the standoff continues, the Ukrainian economy keeps deteriorating.

The Economist

But if the situation keeps deteriorating, it may end up owning bigger chunks of it whether it wants to or not.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept deteriorating" to clearly indicate a situation that has been progressively worsening over time, highlighting the lack of improvement despite potential efforts to prevent it.

Common error

While "kept deteriorating" is grammatically sound, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "steadily declined" or "progressively worsened" to enhance the sophistication and variety of your prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept deteriorating" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It describes a state or condition that progressively worsened over a period, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the decline. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe finances, writing, and overall situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept deteriorating" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a continuous decline or worsening over time, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is more frequent in news and media contexts and less so in formal business or encyclopedic content. While correct, varying your phrasing with alternatives like "kept worsening" or "continued to decline" can enhance the sophistication of your writing, particularly in formal settings. The phrase carries a neutral tone, suitable for conveying information about a negative trend without being overly informal or technical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept worsening

This phrase is a direct synonym, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the decline.

continued to decline

This alternative is slightly more formal and highlights the sustained downward trend.

steadily declined

This phrase emphasizes the gradual and consistent nature of the deterioration.

progressively worsened

This alternative highlights the gradual and incremental aspect of the decline.

kept eroding

This implies a gradual wearing away or diminishing over time.

deteriorated steadily

This emphasizes the consistency of the deterioration.

kept declining

A more general term suggesting a downward trend.

went from bad to worse

This idiom emphasizes the increasingly negative progression.

spiraled downward

This suggests a rapid and accelerating decline.

remained in decline

This stresses the continuous nature of the decline without improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "kept deteriorating" in a sentence?

You can use "kept deteriorating" to describe a situation or condition that worsened continuously over time. For example: "The relationship between the two countries "kept deteriorating" despite diplomatic efforts."

What are some alternatives to "kept deteriorating"?

Alternatives include "kept worsening", "continued to decline", or "steadily declined", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "kept deteriorating" or "continued deteriorating"?

"Kept deteriorating" and "continued deteriorating" are both grammatically correct, but "kept deteriorating" implies a more persistent and possibly unexpected decline, while "continued deteriorating" simply indicates an ongoing process.

What's the difference between "deteriorating" and "worsening"?

"Deteriorating" often implies a gradual decline in quality or condition, while "worsening" is a more general term for becoming worse. You might say the patient's health "kept deteriorating", or that the storm "kept worsening".