kept searching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept searching" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a continuous action of looking for something over a period of time. Example: "Despite the challenges, she kept searching for the truth until she finally found it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Finally, only Rezak kept searching.

The New Yorker

"But my husband and I kept searching for help.

The New York Times - Sports

He kept searching for more fossils, without success.

The New York Times - Books

Djokovic slowly lifted himself off the turf, sportingly applauded Tomic's winner and kept searching for solutions.

The New York Times - Sports

Wati kept searching, and he had his own war to attend to, too.

The New York Times

The salary was disappointing, however, so I turned it down and kept searching.

The New York Times

Ian Hayes, 21, kept searching for that last meteor even after his friends abandoned him.

The New York Times

Still, Said, who knew that truth better than anyone, kept going, tirelessly, and kept searching.

The New York Times - Magazine

Drawing upon some inheritance, they kept searching for and buying historic instruments in whatever condition.

The New York Times - Arts

Under the bangs of his blond hair, his eyes kept searching for something.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I have to keep searching".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept searching" to convey persistence and continuous effort in finding something. It's suitable when the search is ongoing and hasn't yielded results yet.

Common error

Avoid using "kept searching" if the search has already concluded successfully. Instead, use past perfect tense like "had been searching" to describe the activity leading up to the successful find, or past tense like "searched" if the search happened at a specific time in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept searching" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the past. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the searching activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept searching" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to describe a continuous action of looking for something in the past. According to Ludwig, it is widely accepted and appropriate for various contexts. Its strength lies in conveying persistence and ongoing effort. While versatile, avoid using it if the search has already concluded successfully. Instead, consider alternatives like "continued searching" or "persisted in searching" to subtly adjust the meaning. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, "kept searching" maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles. Overall, "kept searching" is a reliable and effective way to express continuous seeking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued searching

Replaces "kept" with "continued", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the search.

persistently searched

Modifies "searched" with the adverb "persistently", emphasizing the consistent manner of searching.

persisted in searching

Uses "persisted" to highlight the determination and effort involved in the searching action.

didn't stop searching

Uses a negative construction to emphasize the continuous nature of the searching.

remained in search

Replaces "kept searching" with a more static description of remaining in a state of search.

carried on searching

Employs a phrasal verb to convey the continuation of the searching activity.

went on searching

Similar to "carried on searching", but with a slightly different phrasal verb.

persevered in the search

Emphasizes the perseverance through difficulties in the search.

continued to seek

Replaces "searching" with "seek", offering a more formal synonym.

uninterruptedly searched

Expresses the action of searching was without interruptions.

FAQs

How can I use "kept searching" in a sentence?

Use "kept searching" to describe a situation where someone continuously looked for something over a period of time. For example, "Even after many failures, she "kept searching" for a solution".

What are some alternatives to "kept searching"?

You can use alternatives such as "continued searching", "persisted in searching", or "didn't stop searching" depending on the context.

Is "kept searching" grammatically correct?

Yes, "kept searching" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of "keep" followed by the gerund form of "search", indicating a continuous action in the past.

What's the difference between "kept searching" and "searched"?

"Searched" indicates a completed action of looking for something, while ""kept searching"" suggests an ongoing or repeated action of looking for something over a period of time.