| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
fw
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 361
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:59 am Post subject: "keep doing" vs. "keep on doing" |
 |
|
According to dictionaries published in Japan, both �keep doing� and �keep on doing,� have almost the same meaning: to continue doing sth or to repeat an action many times. Most of the dictionaries at hand say �keep on doing� has a nuance of �especially in an annoying way,� while one dictionary says �keep doing� has a nuance of it.
Do you feel the difference in nuance between the two phrases?
If you do, which phrase has the nuance of �especially in an annoying way,� #1 or #2 below?
1. keep doing
2. keep on doing |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
m_prime
Joined: 28 Dec 2008
Posts: 52
Location: Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi FW
As a native speaker I would say that there is absolutley no difference between the two. Whether something is positive or negative depends entirely on the context of the sentence.
Positive
"I got a promotion at work; I don't know what I did to deserve it but I am going to 'keep on / keep' doing it"
Negative
"If you 'keep on / keep' shouting I am going to leave"
I would say that 'keep on' is slighly more informal, it is more common in spoken English rather than written English. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
