kept hitting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept hitting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a repeated action of striking or impacting something over a period of time. Example: "He kept hitting the drum, creating a steady rhythm that filled the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he kept hitting".

The New York Times - Sports

They kept hitting him, however.

The New Yorker

After 1946, Musial kept hitting.

The New York Times - Books

I kept hitting him.

The Guardian

"We kept hitting the ball at them".

The New York Times - Sports

We just kept hitting him".

The New York Times - Sports

The Americans kept hitting overheads.

The New York Times - Sports

One kept hitting Murray, she told police.

The Washington Post

It kept missing and Duke kept hitting.

The New York Times - Sports

She kept hitting the wall first.

The Washington Post

"I just kept hitting everything right.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept hitting" to describe a continuous or repeated action of striking something, whether literally or figuratively. For example, "The boxer kept hitting his opponent with powerful jabs" or "The company kept hitting roadblocks in their attempt to launch the new product".

Common error

Avoid using "kept hitting" in passive constructions where the subject is not actively performing the action. Instead of saying "The ball kept getting hit by the players", a better formulation is "The players kept hitting the ball".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept hitting" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a continuous or repeated action in the past. It is a combination of the past tense of the verb "keep" and the present participle of the verb "hit", as confirmed by Ludwig AI. This emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action, as seen in examples like "She kept hitting the wall first."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept hitting" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe a continuous or repeated action of striking. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse communication styles. When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with the active voice and accurately portrays the ongoing or repetitive nature of the action. Consider alternatives like "continued striking" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued striking

Emphasizes the continuation of the action of striking.

persisted in hitting

Highlights the persistence or determination in the action.

repeatedly struck

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the action.

maintained a hitting rhythm

Implies a consistent and regular pattern of hitting.

didn't stop hitting

Emphasizes the lack of cessation in the hitting action.

continued to pound

Uses a more forceful verb to describe the hitting action.

sustained the impact

Highlights the continuous nature of the impact or hitting.

hammered away

Suggests a relentless and vigorous hitting action.

battered continuously

Implies a sustained and forceful beating or hitting.

went on hitting

Simple and direct alternative emphasizing the continuation.

FAQs

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

Use "kept hitting" to describe a repeated action of striking or impacting something. For example, "The rain "kept hitting" the window all night".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "kept hitting"?

You can use alternatives like "continued striking", "persisted in hitting", or "repeatedly struck" depending on the specific context.

Is "kept hitting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "kept hitting" is grammatically correct and follows standard English grammar rules. It uses the past tense of "keep" followed by the present participle of "hit".

What is the difference between "kept hitting" and "kept to hit"?

"Kept hitting" describes a continuous action of striking something, while "kept to hit" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't convey a clear meaning. Always use "kept hitting" when referring to repeated impacts.