kept on arguing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept on arguing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone continues to argue or debate about a particular topic over a period of time. Example: "Despite the disagreement, they kept on arguing until late into the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nevertheless, it seems likely that he was committed to them in some sense, since the Stoics and other philosophers kept on arguing against these views as if they were his, or the Academic, position, and some of his students clearly agreed.

SEP

Picasso kept on painting, he told Françoise, while they kept on arguing.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But if Europe just keeps on arguing, that calculation will change.Grexit, pursued by a bearBegin with Greece.

The Economist

And if they keep on arguing with... June 5, 2014 National Collective (@WeAreNational)...you, just respond with a simple creed: Is féidir linn.

The Guardian

The audiophiles will keep on arguing over these audio files.

Huffington Post

Surely the lights can be kept on, argue such voices, by the bankruptcy court, the state or, ultimately, by the new managers of those assets?This is a tempting argument, but the reason why bankruptcy is not a solution, argues Tom Higgins of Edison International, the parent of SCE, is that "this situation is directly the result of government action and inaction; it is not due to management failure".

The Economist

It could permit Lebanon, which has so far refused to claim sovereignty over the liberated south and send its army into the liberated zone, to keep on arguing indefinitely with the United Nations over whether the withdrawal has been completed.

The New York Times

The clock will be ticking and they just keep right on arguing with me about braids, shirts, and ponies.

Huffington Post

Some argue the drug should be kept on the market for the sake of those who will benefit from it.

The New York Times

But the former prime ministers have an absolute right to argue that the option should be kept on the table.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kopecky argued that a much closer eye is kept on the industry than even just ten years ago, but in the end, agreed with Olson.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "kept on arguing", consider the context. If you want to emphasize persistence despite opposition, it's a good choice. For more formal contexts, "continued to argue" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "kept on arguing" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your prose sound repetitive or informal. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "continued to argue" or "persisted in arguing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept on arguing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of an action. It signifies that someone persisted in arguing, debating, or disagreeing about something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept on arguing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the continuation of an argument or debate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate in many contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it leans slightly towards informality. When writing for formal audiences, consider using more formal alternatives like "continued to argue". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its widespread use in reporting and commentary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to argue

Formal alternative, implies a sustained argument.

carried on arguing

A less formal alternative to "continued to argue".

persisted in arguing

Emphasizes the determination to continue arguing despite opposition.

argued repeatedly

Highlights the repetitive nature of the arguing.

maintained the argument

Focuses on upholding a specific viewpoint.

remained in disagreement

More neutral tone, indicating a lack of resolution.

stuck to their guns

Idiomatic expression signifying unwavering adherence to a position.

held their ground in the argument

Emphasizes resistance and defending a position.

refused to concede

Highlights the unwillingness to give in.

argued without resolution

Focuses on the lack of a positive outcome from the arguing.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept on arguing" to describe a situation where someone continued to argue or debate about a particular topic. For example: "Despite the evidence, they kept on arguing their point."

What are some alternatives to "kept on arguing"?

You can use alternatives like "continued to argue", "persisted in arguing", or "repeatedly argued" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "kept on arguing" formal or informal?

"Kept on arguing" leans towards a slightly informal register. For more formal writing, consider using phrases such as "continued to argue".

What's the difference between "kept on arguing" and "continued to argue"?

While both phrases are similar, "kept on arguing" implies a more persistent or perhaps even stubborn continuation of the argument. "Continued to argue" is a more neutral and formal way to express the same idea.