may keep on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may keep on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of continuing an action or behavior. Example: "If the weather remains favorable, we may keep on hiking until sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Housing may keep on chugging.

The New York Times

The person on the other end of a cell phone does not see these changes and may keep on blathering.

The New York Times - Science

Moreover, this gift may keep on giving (or taking) as shedding holiday weight gain can be challenging.

Forbes

The celebration also represents an ideal opportunity for Israel to reward itself with a gift that may, just may, keep on giving.

Huffington Post

Clients seek to get as much as they can for as little money as possible, and may keep on asking even after you reach what you think is an agreement.

Huffington Post

"In the last year, I was there with a crew when Castro celebrated his birthday with the Buena Vista Social Club, and I was the only one who got an interview early on with Elian Gonzalez's father so I could include that as well". With Castro's record for longevity, this film may keep on changing.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Now that he has found his way into Beethoven, may he keep on going.

The New York Times

With fiscal prudence, efficiency and measurable results, may Philadelphia keep on doing exactly that.

Huffington Post

|  Marcus Agius, who stepped down as chairman of Barclays over a Libor-rigging scandal, "may be kept on in a lucrative consultancy role," The Daily Mail reports.

The New York Times

Still, the $450 price-tag may keep this one on the wish-list for now.

TechCrunch

This study showed that horse owners of more than one horse may keep them on different premises, alongside horses belonging to other owners.

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may keep on" to express a moderate degree of possibility regarding the continuation of an action or state. It's suitable when the outcome is uncertain but there's a reasonable chance of it persisting.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "may keep on" can sound somewhat informal in certain professional or academic settings. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "will continue" or "is likely to proceed" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may keep on" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility and continuation. It suggests that an action or state is likely to persist. Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage across various contexts to express an ongoing situation or potential future.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may keep on" is a grammatically sound way to express the possibility of continued action or a sustained state. Ludwig AI confirms its status as correct and usable English. While it appears across various domains, it's more common in news, scientific writing, and general online content. Its neutral register makes it suitable for many situations, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional contexts. Be mindful of overuse in highly formal writing, and consider stronger alternatives like "will continue". In essence, "may keep on" offers a nuanced way to communicate uncertainty coupled with a likelihood of continuation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might go on

Similar in meaning, but the verb "go" is less specific than "keep".

might continue

Expresses a slightly weaker possibility of continuation than "may keep on".

could carry on

Implies continuation despite potential obstacles or difficulties.

could proceed

Suggests a potential continuation, often in a more formal or planned context.

could maintain

Emphasizes the active effort required to continue something.

may persist

Emphasizes the enduring nature of the action or state.

might endure

Highlights the ability to withstand and continue over time.

could sustain

Suggests maintaining or supporting an activity or process over time.

may uphold

Implies maintaining or defending something over time, often in a formal or legal context.

might uphold

A slightly weaker version of 'may uphold'.

FAQs

How can I use "may keep on" in a sentence?

You can use "may keep on" to express the possibility of an action continuing, as in, "If the weather stays clear, we "may keep on" hiking."

What's a more formal alternative to "may keep on"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "will continue" or "is likely to proceed" for a more professional tone.

Is "may keep on" the same as "might keep on"?

"May keep on" and "might keep on" are very similar, both expressing possibility. "Might" often suggests a slightly lower probability than "may", but they are largely interchangeable.

Can "may keep on" be used for both actions and states?

Yes, "may keep on" can apply to both actions (e.g., "They "may keep on" trying") and states (e.g., "The economy "may keep on" improving").