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keep on

A2 informal inseparable both
In simple words

To continue doing something without stopping, or to repeatedly say the same thing to someone.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To continue doing something without stopping.

"Even when you feel tired, you need to keep on practising if you want to improve."

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward."

— Martin Luther King Jr. (attributed, various speeches)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To repeatedly nag or talk to someone about the same thing.

"He keeps on about how tired he is — I wish he'd just get some rest."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 neutral

To continue employing someone.

"They decided to keep on all the staff after the merger, which was a relief."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Followed by a gerund (keep on doing something). When used with a person as object, it means to repeatedly nag or bother that person. Also means to continue employing someone. One of the most common and versatile phrasal verbs in everyday English.

Commonly used with

trying working talking asking going moving

Forms

Base
keep on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
keeps on
he/she/it
Past simple
kept on
yesterday
Past participle
kept on
have + pp
-ing form
keeping on
continuous

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Synonyms

continue carry on persist go on press on not stop

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