kept going on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept going on" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used informally to describe someone or something that continues to persist or prolong an action or state. Example: "Despite the challenges, she kept going on with her project until it was completed."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just kept going on for one, one and a half pages, for three hours.

Huffington Post

My wife kept going on, ecstatic that Queen had sent us a letter.

Independent

"I don't want to say he ignored it, but he kept going on with his thought process," Schur recalled.

The New Yorker

"Although he wanted to get out, he couldn't bear to look at what he'd done, so he kept going on".

The New York Times - Books

She kept going on about a story they had run about a freakish goat-eating python that had been found in central Asia.

The Guardian - Opinion

A storage freezer at Salty's Ice Cream Parlour, also in Lavallette, kept going on and off all weekend, as did those in many other establishments.

The New York Times

"The shooters were wearing masks and the shooting kept going on and on," one worker said.

Huffington Post

The gunfire kept going on.

The New Yorker

I just kept going on my wrist.

The New York Times - Sports

"The screaming just kept going on.

Independent

We just kept going on adventures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "kept going on" with stronger synonyms such as "persisted" or "persevered" to add impact to your message.

Common error

Relying too heavily on phrasal verbs like "kept going on" can make your writing sound informal or repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using single-word verbs for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "kept going on" is as a phrasal verb, specifically acting as a verb phrase indicating the continuation or prolongation of an action or state. Ludwig suggests using alternative phrases.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "kept going on" is a frequently used phrasal verb that conveys continuation or persistence, Ludwig indicates it may sound somewhat awkward. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts. When writing, consider stronger, more concise alternatives such as "continued", "carried on", or "persisted", especially in formal or professional settings, to enhance clarity and impact. Understanding the context and desired tone will guide you in choosing the most effective phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went on

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way of saying something continued.

carried on

This alternative is a phrasal verb similar in structure but slightly more formal.

continued

This alternative is a more concise and grammatically standard way of expressing the continuation of an action or state.

persisted

This alternative emphasizes the determination or stubbornness in continuing despite difficulties.

persevered

This alternative implies facing challenges and obstacles during the continuation.

proceeded

This alternative suggests a more formal and structured continuation.

extended

This alternative emphasizes the length or duration of the continuation.

dragged on

This alternative suggests the continuation was tedious or unwelcome.

lingered

This alternative suggests the continuation was slow and reluctant to end.

sustained

This alternative emphasizes the ability to maintain or uphold something over time.

FAQs

What does "kept going on" mean?

The phrase "kept going on" means to continue doing something, often repeatedly or for an extended period. It can also imply talking at length about a subject.

What are some alternatives to "kept going on"?

You can use alternatives like "continued", "carried on", or "persisted" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "kept going on"?

While commonly used, "kept going on" can sound less formal. More grammatically standard options include "continued" or "went on".

How can I use "kept going on" in a sentence?

Example: "Despite the difficulties, she "kept going on" with her project." Note that while acceptable, this could be rephrased as "she continued with her project" for improved clarity.