Cool MateContinue vs We keep on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Continue
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
We keep on
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Continue
| Continue | We keep on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː kiːp ɒn//🇺🇸 //wi kiːp ɑn// |
| Meaning | To keep doing something without stopping. | We continue to do something. |
| Example | Please continue with your presentation after the break. | We keep on trying, no matter how hard it gets. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | continue doing, continue with, continue on, continue to speak, continue until | keep on trying, keep on asking, keep on going, keep on working, keep on singing |
| Antonyms | stop, cease, halt | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Continue' followed by a noun instead of a gerund (e.g., 'continue the project' instead of 'continue doing the project'), Confusing 'continue' with 'resume' — 'resume' implies starting again after a pause, Using 'continue to' followed by an adjective (incorrect) instead of a verb (correct) | Using 'keep on' without 'we' or another subject., Incorrect verb form after 'keep on'., Confusing 'keep on' with 'continue'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'continue' when talking about ongoing actions or processes. It's neutral, so it's appropriate in most contexts, but can sound too formal in casual conversations. Avoid using in contexts where you're suggesting to start something new. | Used to indicate persistence in an action. Suitable for both written and spoken contexts. Avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Continue vs We keep on
What's the difference between Continue and We keep on?
Continue: To keep doing something without stopping. We keep on: We continue to do something.
Which is more common: Continue and We keep on?
Continue is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Continue: Please continue with your presentation after the break. We keep on: We keep on trying, no matter how hard it gets.
Can I use Continue and We keep on interchangeably?
Not always. Continue and We keep on are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.