on repeat

USAGE SUMMARY

"on repeat" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most often used as an adjective to describe something that is happening or being done repeatedly: My alarm clock keeps going off on repeat every morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Frank Ocean's "Pyramids" is on repeat.

The New York Times - Arts

You'll have this one on repeat for a while.

Vice

This one might be on repeat for awhile.

Vice

History on Repeat?

The New York Times

I'm on repeat.

The Guardian - Music

They live on repeat business.

The New York Times

It played on repeat in my head.

Independent

I put it on repeat immediately.

The New York Times

The film scarred, badly lit, on repeat.

The New Yorker

This was USA in Rustenburg on repeat.

The Guardian - Sport

But otherwise he's into things on repeat.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on repeat" to describe something you are listening to or watching frequently, or to indicate a recurring event or thought.

Common error

Avoid using "on repeat" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "repeatedly" or "continuously" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on repeat" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action is performed repeatedly. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It is often used to describe media consumption or recurring thoughts or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Music

20%

Huffington Post

18%

Less common in

Science

5%

Vice

5%

The Guardian

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on repeat" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, primarily functioning as an adverbial phrase to denote repetitive actions or states. It enjoys common usage in news, media, and casual conversation and is considered of neutral register. To enhance clarity in formal writing, consider employing alternatives such as "repeatedly" or "continuously" depending on the specific nuance you are looking for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repeatedly

Single word alternative for emphasizing the act of repeating.

continuously

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the action.

over and over

Emphasizes the iterative nature of the action or event.

again and again

Highlights the recurrence of an action.

incessantly

Implies a constant and often annoying repetition.

constantly

Suggests a persistent and regular repetition.

persistently

Implies a stubborn or unwavering repetition.

ceaselessly

Emphasizes the unending nature of the repetition.

ad nauseam

Indicates repetition to the point of annoyance or boredom.

endlessly

Highlights the seemingly infinite nature of the repetition.

FAQs

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

You can say, "I've had that song "on repeat" all day," or "The same argument keeps playing "on repeat" in my head".

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

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "repeatedly", "continuously", or "incessantly", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in repeat" instead of "on repeat"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is ""on repeat"". The phrase "in repeat" is not standard English.

What does it mean when something is "on repeat"?

When something is described as ""on repeat"", it means it is happening or being played continuously or repeatedly. It often implies that the repetition is intentional or habitual.