kept on crying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept on crying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who continues to cry over a period of time, often in a context of sadness or distress. Example: "After hearing the bad news, she just sat there, kept on crying for hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

She just kept on crying.

The New Yorker

If you were me, you kept on crying here, and not because of Joffrey.

The New Yorker

Just kept on crying.

BioData Mining

I kept on crying quite a while back in the silent apartment.

The New Yorker

"Thank you very much," he said courteously as she kept on crying.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the second meeting, "We sat at a performance together, and he kept on crying while he watched it.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Child will keep on crying, keep on crying.

BMC Public Health

Because whereas women are crying in pain asking for help what the midwife does… does not show that she is really nursing patients… she tells the patient "… you will see, when you were making your baby I was not with you, keep on crying, when you die we will come to collect your dead body.... .......

BMC Health Services Research

Sometimes you would think why they keep on crying for no reason.

WikiHow

If you are sad, don't just give up to sadness and keep on crying, dance or talk to others or even read something that may help you to be positive again.

WikiHow

Felicity kept on, but now her screams became short little cries for mercy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a prolonged emotional state, using "kept on crying" can effectively convey the duration and intensity of the sadness. For variety, consider synonyms like "continued to weep" or "persisted in tears".

Common error

While "kept on crying" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to use diverse vocabulary to describe the character's feelings. For example, instead of "She kept on crying", consider "Tears streamed down her face, an unending river of sorrow".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept on crying" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a continuous action in the past. Ludwig shows many examples where it describes someone's prolonged state of sadness or distress. The auxiliary verb "kept" indicates the continuation, while "crying" specifies the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept on crying" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb that describes a continuous action of crying in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from various sources. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider synonyms like "continued to weep" or "persisted in tears" to avoid repetition and enhance the descriptive quality of your writing. Its primary function is to describe an emotional state, often with the intent of evoking empathy or highlighting the intensity of the person's feelings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its widespread use in reporting and storytelling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was constantly crying

Expresses that the crying was a frequent and ongoing occurrence.

never stopped sobbing

Replaces "crying" with "sobbing", suggesting a more intense form of crying, and uses "never stopped" to convey continuation.

cried continuously

Emphasizes the uninterrupted flow of tears, using an adverb to modify the verb "cried".

continued to weep

Replaces "crying" with "weep", a more formal synonym, and uses "continued to" instead of "kept on".

cried incessantly

Replaces the phrasal verb with an adverb, highlighting the ceaseless nature of the crying.

wept without cease

Employs more formal language to express the uninterrupted nature of the weeping.

persisted in tears

Substitutes "kept on crying" with a more literary expression, emphasizing the persistence of tears.

was always in tears

Shifts the focus to a state of being, indicating a constant condition of sadness.

cried and cried

Uses repetition to emphasize the prolonged duration of the crying.

remained tearful

Indicates a sustained state of tearfulness, rather than the act of crying itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept on crying" to describe someone who continued to cry for an extended period. Example: "Even after the movie ended, she "kept on crying"."

What are some alternatives to "kept on crying"?

Some alternatives include "continued to weep", "persisted in tears", or "cried incessantly" depending on the desired tone and context.

Is it correct to say "keep on crying" instead of "kept on crying"?

"Keep on crying" is the present tense form, used for commands or habitual actions. "Kept on crying" is past tense, used to describe a continuous action in the past. For example, "I tell her to keep on crying until she feels better" (present) vs. "She "kept on crying" after hearing the news" (past).

What's the difference between "kept crying" and "kept on crying"?

While both phrases are similar, "kept on crying" emphasizes the continuous nature of the action more strongly than "kept crying". "Kept crying" simply indicates that the crying continued. Adding "on" enhances the sense of persistence.