kept occurring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept occurring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens repeatedly over a period of time. Example: "Despite our efforts to resolve the issue, the same problem kept occurring, leading to frustration among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And the one word that kept occurring to me in playing Dead Space was discipline.

The New York Times - Arts

Another word-bingo term that kept occurring was "tribalism" which is a part-way explanation as to why.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reviewing the original Dead Space in 2008, I wrote: "The one word that kept occurring to me in playing Dead Space was discipline.

The New York Times - Arts

A phrase I found kept occurring to me in connection with Michael Palin is the French expression: "Il gagne d'être connu," or, roughly translated, he improves with acquaintance.

Independent

New ideas for the humiliation of people in custody — whom the Sheriff calls, with persuasive disgust, "criminals," although most are actually awaiting trial, not convicted of any crime — kept occurring to him.

The New Yorker

One maddening question that kept occurring to me during the first week could be answered definitively, and, I'm happy to say, in the affirmative, by last Tuesday night: yes, there is an end to beach-volleyball coverage.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But the downsizing keeps occurring.

The New York Times

Evictions and exclusions keep occurring.

The Guardian - Books

"And still," Mr. Merin said, "these big transactions keep occurring".

The New York Times

I have also had surgery to clean out an infection of pseudomonas that keeps occurring.

The Guardian - Travel

Sadly admissions and apologies will matter little if such tragic cases keep occurring".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept occurring" to describe events or thoughts that happened repeatedly, particularly when emphasizing the persistence or unexpectedness of these recurrences. It works well in both narrative and analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "kept occurring" multiple times in a single paragraph or short piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "repeatedly happened" or "persistently arose" to maintain reader engagement and stylistic diversity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept occurring" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the continuous or repetitive nature of an event or phenomenon. It combines the past tense of "keep" with the present participle of "occur", similar to examples in Ludwig AI where it describes recurring thoughts or events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept occurring" is a verbal phrase used to describe the repetitive nature of an event or thought. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, from news articles to scientific papers. While it is suitable for general use, varying your language with alternatives like "repeatedly happened" or "persistently arose" can enhance your writing. Be mindful of overuse to maintain stylistic diversity. The phrase holds a neutral register, making it versatile across different writing styles, and its frequency, while not exceedingly common, is notable across reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to arise

A straightforward alternative, emphasizing the continuation of the events.

repeatedly happened

Replaces "kept" with "repeatedly" emphasizing the frequency of the events.

recurrently manifested

A more formal way of saying "kept occurring", suitable for academic or technical contexts.

persistently arose

Implies that the occurrence continued despite potential resistance or obstacles.

cropped up frequently

Suggests the events appeared unexpectedly and often.

consistently transpired

Focuses on the consistent nature of the events unfolding.

regularly presented itself

Indicates that the event routinely made an appearance or became evident.

incessantly happened

Highlights the continuous and seemingly endless nature of the occurrences.

showed up repeatedly

More informal and direct, implying something becoming present again and again.

materialized time after time

Emphasizes the actual manifestation of the event over a period of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept occurring" to describe something that happened repeatedly. For example: "The error in the code "kept occurring" despite several attempts to fix it."

What are some alternatives to "kept occurring"?

Alternatives to "kept occurring" include "repeatedly happened", "persistently arose", or "continued to arise", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "recurred frequently" instead of "kept occurring"?

Yes, "recurred frequently" or "recurrently manifested" would be considered more formal than "kept occurring". "Kept occurring" is suitable for general use, while the others are better suited for academic or professional writing.

When is it appropriate to use "kept occurring" versus "continued to happen"?

"Kept occurring" emphasizes the repeated nature of an event, often with an implication of unexpectedness or annoyance. "Continued to happen" ("continued to arise") simply indicates that something did not stop. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.