kept on playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept on playing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the continuation of an action, particularly in the context of playing a game, instrument, or sport. Example: "Despite the rain, the children kept on playing in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

She kept on playing".

The New York Times

"Then she just kept on playing.

The New York Times - Sports

And we just kept on playing".

The Guardian - Music

He found that people just kept on playing.

The New Yorker

He was an innovative guitarist and a masterful showman who kept on playing well into his seventies.

The New Yorker

She felt it so keenly that in her 20s, when she gained the use of a Strad that was too large for her, she kept on playing despite suffering tendinitis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The favorite here … just keep on playing until someone, anyone scores.

The New York Times

But one cannot keep on playing this game forever: at some point we hit rock bottom.

Huffington Post

Then you keep on playing until one person loses.

WikiHow

"We had to keep on playing".

The New York Times - Sports

We want to keep on playing".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept on playing" to emphasize the continuous nature of an action, particularly when there might have been a reason to stop. For example: "Despite the injury, she kept on playing."

Common error

Avoid shifting verb tenses within a sentence when using "kept on playing". Ensure the surrounding verbs are in the same tense for clarity. For example, instead of "He kept on playing, but now he stops", use "He kept on playing, but now he stops."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "kept on playing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of an action (playing). It modifies the subject by describing their persistent engagement in the activity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept on playing" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the continuation of playing an activity, often despite challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media sources. While alternatives like "continued playing" or "persisted in playing" exist, "kept on playing" offers a slightly more informal and emphatic tone. Remember to maintain consistent verb tenses when using this phrase and be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued playing

A more formal and direct synonym, simply stating the action went on.

persisted in playing

Emphasizes determination or resilience in continuing the action.

carried on playing

Common alternative, particularly in British English, indicating continuation.

continued to play

Slightly less emphatic than "kept on playing", but conveys the same meaning.

went on playing

Similar to "continued to play", suggesting a natural progression.

maintained playing

Implies a conscious effort to keep the activity going.

never stopped playing

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the activity.

remained playing

Suggests staying in a state of playing, even amidst changing circumstances.

persevered with playing

Highlights overcoming difficulties to continue the action.

didn't cease playing

A more emphatic way of saying someone continued playing.

FAQs

What does "kept on playing" mean?

The phrase "kept on playing" means to continue playing or to persist in playing, even when facing challenges or obstacles.

What's a more formal way to say "kept on playing"?

A more formal way to express the same idea would be to use phrases like "continued playing" or "persisted in playing".

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

Yes, "keep on playing" is the present tense form, while "kept on playing" is the past tense. Use "keep on playing" for ongoing actions and "kept on playing" for actions that happened in the past.

What are some situations where you might use the phrase "kept on playing"?

This phrase is often used when someone continues to play a game, instrument, or sport despite difficulties, such as an injury, bad weather, or fatigue. For example: "Despite the rain, they "continued to play" / they kept on playing".