on loop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on loop" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is repeated continuously, such as a song or video playing repeatedly without stopping. Example: "I love this song so much that I've been listening to it on loop all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Or, hey, maybe watch the video above on loop?

Los Angeles Times

I listen to way too much music - and a lot of it is listened to on loop.

Huffington Post

Apologies if this week's chart arrives late, as we'll be watching this one on loop for quite a while.

The Guardian

"A lot of the research that I did really came from watching this one video on loop.

Huffington Post

The beat on loop was the same one he'd played the night before — jangling piano and a man muttering.

The New Yorker

It was soundtracked by the Human League's 1981 song 'Seconds' on loop, an ear worm if ever there was one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Thread the cords vertically through the sewn-on loops.

WikiHow

While one relies on live musicians and the other on loops and samples, they keep finding common ground.

The New York Times - Arts

Aarktica's songs are extended reveries, built on loops of guitars and drums and occasional voices.

The New York Times

Echoes are everywhere: loops pile on loops in iridescent patterns; percussion crackles and rattles; and vocals cascade across it all.

The New York Times - Arts

Other recent work on looping bolstered the case for extrusion as well.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on loop" to describe media (songs, videos) or thoughts that are replaying continuously. For example, "I had that song stuck in my head and it was playing on loop all day."

Common error

Avoid using "on loop" to describe actions that are not inherently repetitive or continuous. For example, saying "I went to the store on loop" is incorrect; instead, use "repeatedly" or "frequently" if you visited the store multiple times.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on loop" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the manner in which an action is performed, specifically, continuously and repetitively. Ludwig indicates the phrase is valid and usable, confirming its grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on loop" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions adverbially to describe continuous repetition, particularly in the context of media playback or recurring thoughts. Ludwig confirms its validity. While its register is generally neutral, it's more suited for informal and news contexts than highly formal or scientific writing. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "repeatedly" or "continuously". Based on the analysis, misusing the phrase in non-repetitive contexts is a common error to avoid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On repeat

A synonym of "on loop" used to indicate that something is being played again.

In repetition

This noun phrase emphasizes the act of repeating something.

Continuously

This adverb stresses the unbroken sequence of the action, implying no pauses.

Over and over

This phrase signifies repeated action, often with a sense of monotony.

Constantly

Indicates something happens all the time, or very often.

Repeatedly

This adverb signifies the action occurs more than once, without necessarily being continuous.

Without pause

This phrase directly indicates the absence of any breaks in the repetition.

Incessantly

This adverb emphasizes the continuous and often annoying nature of the repetition.

Endlessly

Highlights the seemingly infinite nature of the repetition.

Perpetually

Implies that something is happening constantly, possibly without end.

FAQs

How can I use "on loop" in a sentence?

You can use "on loop" to describe something that is playing or repeating continuously. For example, "I've had this song stuck in my head and it's been playing "on repeat" all day" or "The news footage of the event was shown "repeatedly" on television".

What can I say instead of "on loop"?

Alternatives to "on loop" include "on repeat", "repeatedly", "continuously", or "incessantly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "on loop"?

Yes, the phrase "on loop" is a correct and common way to describe something that is repeating continuously. It is particularly used for songs, videos, or repetitive thoughts.

Can "on loop" be used for things other than media playback?

While typically used for media like songs or videos, "on loop" can also describe repetitive thoughts or behaviors. For example, "I keep thinking about that conversation; it's "playing over and over" in my mind".