kept on calling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept on calling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone continues to make phone calls persistently over a period of time. Example: "Despite my attempts to ignore the calls, he kept on calling until I finally answered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I kept on calling though, several times a day, until they put me through to my main surgeon.

Vice

"But I kept on calling.

The New York Times

I thought she was looking for the ball, so I kept on calling and she kept treading water.

The Guardian

Donny wasn't a Catholic but I let him wear my scapular, which he kept on calling a spatula.

The New Yorker

On Saturday, Manuel Neuer ("he wanted to go in goal"), Philipp Lahm ("he wanted to take my armband off me") and Thomas Müller ("he kept on calling me Gerd") gently made fun of the Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder's Maracanã blackout in interviews with ZDF Sportstudio.

The Guardian - Sport

Evanson kept on calling our house and he would say whatever he wanted to say to my parents.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Three alternate musicians will be kept on call.

The New Yorker

That's what happened, and now they keep on calling me".

The Guardian - Film

On the Facebook page he set up in the author's memory, Van Gelderen has written: "Let's keep on calling it Ali's Great Iranian Novel, until someone proves him wrong".

The Guardian - Music

That inspector keeps on calling in the West End, and he's a very welcome visitor – though the smug Birling family, whose celebration of their daughter's engagement is disrupted by his arrival, may beg to differ.

The Guardian

One arch Eurosceptic Tory MP - he knows who he is - lent across the table and moaned to her: "Oh, Margaret, they keep on calling me a little Englander".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept on calling" to emphasize persistence or insistence in communication, especially when the calling is repetitive or unwelcome.

Common error

In formal writing, consider using more concise alternatives like "persistently called" or "repeatedly contacted" instead of "kept on calling", which can sound too informal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept on calling" functions as a compound verb phrase indicating a continuous or repeated action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this with multiple examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept on calling" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to describe persistent phone calls. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing several examples from reliable sources. While it might be too informal for some writing contexts, it effectively emphasizes the repetitive nature of the calling. For alternatives, consider more concise options such as "persistently called" or "repeatedly contacted", especially in formal settings. Remember to use "kept on calling" to highlight persistence and consider your audience when choosing the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistently called

Emphasizes the unwavering nature of the calling.

incessantly called

Emphasizes the never-ending aspect of the calling.

repeatedly called

Highlights the multiple instances of calling.

continued to call

Focuses on the ongoing action of calling without interruption.

called again and again

Illustrates the iterative nature of the calling attempts.

wouldn't stop calling

Highlights the refusal to cease calling.

telephoned relentlessly

Highlights both the method and the persistence.

hounded with calls

Implies aggressive or bothersome persistent calling.

bombarded with calls

Suggests an overwhelming number of calls.

constantly rang

Focuses on the ringing aspect of calls.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept on calling" to describe someone who persistently makes phone calls, such as: "Despite my refusal to answer, he "kept on calling" all day."

What are some alternatives to "kept on calling"?

Some alternatives include "persistently called", "repeatedly called", or "continued to call". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "kept on calling" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kept on calling" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "persistently contacted" or "repeatedly attempted to reach".

What does it mean when someone "kept on calling"?

It means the person was very persistent in trying to reach someone by phone, often implying a sense of urgency or insistence.