kept piling on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept piling on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is continuously added or increased, often in a negative context, such as stress or pressure. Example: "As the deadlines approached, the tasks kept piling on, making it difficult to manage my time effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"In their quest to grow," he said, "they kept piling on more loans in the same geographies".

The New York Times

VanDerWerff thought that Sue's storyline was one of several in the episode beyond the two main ones Blaine and Cooper's conflict and Quinn's post-accident return that the show "kept piling" on, to its detriment.

Wikipedia

For years and years, as Detroit kept piling on debt to an unsustainable level of $16 billion, it was popular to blame the mess on mismanagement, intransigent labor unions, poor employee morale and assume those culprits would pay the price when the reckoning finally came.

Huffington Post

"George just kept piling on the roles," Ms. Cruise said.

The New York Times

From the beginning, the Raptors kept piling on the points.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Bush has seemed diffident, and he has kept piling on endorsements even after signs that they were backfiring.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

So far, nobody knows where exactly the GM corn will be cultivated, leading Greenpeace organizer Aleira Lara to observe, "watching the Mexican government trying to confront these issues is like watching a giant snowball--it keeps piling on one irregularity after another".

Huffington Post

Television keeps piling on more swirls, sprinkles and filigree.

The New York Times - Arts

"And it just seems like when you have days like that, it keeps piling on".

The New York Times - Sports

It's like an avalanche, and it keeps piling on and getting bigger and bigger".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. King, who wrote the script, keeps piling on the details, feeding you a surprise behind every hidden door.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept piling on" when you want to convey a sense of overwhelming accumulation, often in a negative or problematic context, such as debt, work, or complications.

Common error

Avoid using "kept piling on" in purely positive situations. The phrase typically implies a burden or problem resulting from the accumulation, so ensure the context aligns with this negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept piling on" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in the past tense to describe a continuous or repeated action of adding something, often to an excessive degree. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing increasing debt, workload, or complications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept piling on" is a verb phrase used in the past tense to describe a repeated or continuous addition, often leading to negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples across various domains, including News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to be mindful of its implied negative connotation. Consider alternatives like "continued to accumulate" or "persistently augmented" based on the desired nuance. This phrase is suitable when you want to express that something was added excessively, creating a burden or problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to accumulate

Emphasizes the gradual gathering of something over time.

continued to add to

Highlights the act of increasing something incrementally.

persistently augmented

Suggests a more determined and ongoing effort to increase.

incessantly heaped on

Implies a relentless and burdensome addition.

steadily mounted

Focuses on a gradual and consistent rise or increase.

accumulated relentlessly

Highlights the unstoppable nature of the accumulation.

continued to accrue

Emphasizes the gradual increase, often in a financial or abstract sense.

constantly increased

Focuses on the consistent rise in quantity or intensity.

repeatedly amplified

Suggests a deliberate and repeated increase in magnitude.

progressively intensified

Highlights a gradual and increasing level of intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept piling on" to describe a situation where something is continuously added, usually in a way that creates a problem or burden. For example, "The company "kept piling on" new projects without hiring more staff, leading to burnout."

What are some alternatives to "kept piling on"?

Alternatives include "continued to accumulate", "continued to add to", or "incessantly heaped on". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "keeps piling on" instead of "kept piling on"?

Yes, "keeps piling on" is the present tense form, while "kept piling on" is the past tense. Use "keeps piling on" when describing a current or ongoing trend and "kept piling on" when referring to something that happened in the past.

What's the difference between "kept piling on" and "kept adding"?

"Kept adding" is a more neutral term, simply indicating a continuous increase. "Kept piling on", however, suggests that the accumulation is becoming excessive or problematic. The phrase ""kept piling on"" often implies a negative consequence.