kept going up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept going up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous increase in something, such as prices, temperatures, or levels over time. Example: "The temperature kept going up throughout the day, reaching an all-time high by evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It kept going up every year".

The New York Times

The number of orders kept going up.

The New York Times

"We've just kept going up ever since".

The New York Times - Sports

But the price of everything else kept going up".

The New York Times

Prices just kept going up, nobody liked the stock-market.

The Guardian - Sport

"But then the number just kept going up.

The Guardian

But the price kept going up and up".

The New York Times

But the ante kept going up, both emotionally and financially.

The New York Times

It kept going up and up and up".

The Guardian

The level of his game kept going up.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But I saw every detail [on TV], really terrible, terrible … the number of the deaths [kept] going up.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "continued to rise" or "escalated" for a more formal tone, especially in academic or business writing.

Common error

While "kept going up" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and sophisticated synonyms to enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

Linguistic Context

Kept going up functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous or repeated increase over time. The auxiliary verb "kept" emphasizes the persistence of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread presence across different sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept going up" is a versatile and commonly used way to describe a continuous increase, according to Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's suitable for many situations, more formal synonyms like "continued to rise" or "escalated" may be preferred for academic or professional writing. Remember to consider your audience and the tone of your writing when choosing between "kept going up" and its alternatives. As Ludwig has shown, "kept going up" effectively conveys the idea of a sustained upward trend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to increase

Formal synonym, focusing on the ongoing nature of the increase.

continued to rise

Simple and direct alternative, emphasizing upward movement.

persisted in ascending

More formal and emphatic, highlighting sustained upward progress.

escalated steadily

Highlights the gradual but consistent increase.

maintained its upward trajectory

Focuses on the path or direction of the increase.

climbed incrementally

Emphasizes the small steps in the upward movement.

moved progressively higher

Highlights a systematic and forward movement to a higher level.

advanced consistently

Emphasizes the regularity and reliability of the upward movement.

showed continuous growth

Highlights the aspect of growth and development in the increase.

remained on the increase

Focuses on the state of being in a continuous upward trend.

FAQs

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

The phrase "kept going up" is used to describe a continuous increase. For example, "The price of gasoline "kept going up" throughout the summer."

What are some alternatives to "kept going up"?

You can use alternatives like "continued to rise", "increased steadily", or "escalated" depending on the context.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of "kept" (past tense of keep) followed by a present participle phrase.

When is it more appropriate to use "continued to increase" instead of "kept going up"?

"Continued to increase" is often more suitable for formal or academic writing, while "kept going up" is generally fine for more casual contexts. The choice depends on the desired level of formality.