Question
Updated on
20 Sep 2021
- Korean
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
In that sentence, can I say "keeps" instead of "is keeping"?
In that sentence, can I say "keeps" instead of "is keeping"?
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
20 Sep 2021
Featured answer
- English (US)
While both are technically correct, you will never hear "he keeps his options open" here. I think the idea is to emphasize more that it is happening right now, but it doesn't really matter. It's just one of those things that is only really used one way even though both ways work.
Was this answer helpful?
Obviously wrong
Explanation is not enough
Written in a language I can't understand
Answer is not related to the question
Other reason
Read more comments
- English (US)
While both are technically correct, you will never hear "he keeps his options open" here. I think the idea is to emphasize more that it is happening right now, but it doesn't really matter. It's just one of those things that is only really used one way even though both ways work.
Was this answer helpful?
- Korean
@rgkgdb69tm
thank you so much!!
could I ask more?
when you use the verb "keep", don't you use it in the present progressive form?
ex. the doctor wants me to keep taking the medicine, so I'm keeping on taking it.
thank you so much!!
could I ask more?
when you use the verb "keep", don't you use it in the present progressive form?
ex. the doctor wants me to keep taking the medicine, so I'm keeping on taking it.
- English (US)
No. The present progressive tense is used for an action that continues to occur in the present.
"I am studying for an exam" (I am doing it now and I will continue to study for a while)
The simple present tense describes a current activity which may or may not continue.
"I see Maria" (I see her crossing the street, but I am not going to continue watching her)
Keeping his options open is something he is doing now and will continue to do until he chooses a school.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
- Korean
the doctor wants me to keep taking the medicine, so I'm keeping on taking it.
is that sentence correct?😯
is that sentence correct?😯
- English (US)
@hellllllllo There's nothing special about the word "keep." You use it's present progressive in all the ways you'd use another word's present progressive form. You could say "so I'm keeping on taking it" or "so I keep on taking it." I think the first sounds a little awkward, but both make sense.
Was this answer helpful?
- Korean
Some native English speakers said like this, so I'm wondering it is really right.
- English (US)
@hellllllllo I don't think I'm qualified to tell you whether or not it is grammatically correct, but I think the issue with it sounding "unnatural" is the use of the particle "on." It's not as commonly used with the present participle "keeping," but it's still valid. For "keeping," you'd most commonly see it without its particle, as in something like "he's out of town, so I'm keeping his dog." Of course, this is a different meaning of "keep" (like "hold"/"guard" instead of "maintain").
You can see "keeping on" listed here: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/keep_on#English
Was this answer helpful?
- Korean
- English (US)
No. You have too long a string of conjugated verbs in the second part. You can say:
"The doctor wants me to keep taking the medicine, so I will keep on taking it."
"The doctor wants me to keep taking the medicine, so I will continue to take it."
"The doctor wants me to keep taking the medicine, so I'm continuing to take it."
These sound much better.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
Sign up
Related questions
Similar questions
- Could you correct following sentences more matural? - Let's answer questions about your native...
- In these two sentences, which of them is correct? That is what English rules usually does. ...
- What's meaning of this sentence? --- Puppies were so tired they didn't even make it out of be...
Recommended Questions
- How do you say "2m x 1m" in English? ex. I would like to buy a small rectangle area rug 2m x 1m.
- What did the bride say at 0:05 -? "It's just xxxxx I guess" https://youtu.be/fKDbr483TKc?si=aI7s...
- 📍Do these have the same meaning and sound natural? The perception of how the word sounds like wo...
- (at an ESL class) "Please check your answers against your partner's ones." Hello! Do you thin...
- These revisions maintain the same meaning while providing a smoother flow to the sentences. Is t...
Topic Questions
- If i want to know somebody's height, can i ask " How high is he? "
- Which sounds more natural, "Go two blocks" or "Go for two blocks," when giving directions?
- How much does a bowl of ramen cost in your city? Both dollars and local currency are fine. Rame...
- Is the word "legion" pronounced differently from "lesion"?
- Can we meet for a coffee? In this sentence why there's the indefinite article A before coffee...
Newest Questions
- I loooooooooooove aussie accent.... I loooooooooooove Australia so much. I'd like to go back th...
- If i want to know somebody's height, can i ask " How high is he? "
- Is doctor's office a commonly used term or how else do you call the place where doctors inspect y...
- Does this sound natural? 1. 5 minutes into the meeting, someone chimed in. 2. 30 minutes into my ...
- What does it mean when people are using rain emojis in their Instagram profiles these days?
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
What are gifts?
Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.
By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!
If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
Thank you! Rest assured your feedback will not be shown to other users.
Thank you very much! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
