student asking question

What does "keep + another verb in ING" form mean?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Great question! I'm going to separate this into two parts to make it a little easier to explain. The word "keep" means to have or to retain possession of something; to remain. The word "push" means to exert force; it also can mean to compel or urge someone to do something, especially to work hard. In this video, the meaning of pushing is to work hard. "Keep pushing yourself" is in the present participle tense and means to continue to work really hard. When someone "keeps pushing themselves" it means that she is trying to improve herself in some way. This can be physical, as though she is working out to improve her physical health, mental, as though she is trying to learn something new, or spiritual, as though she is trying to improve her mental health. If you use "keep" + an ing verb, it means that you are continuing to do something. Ex: Keep pushing yourself and you will succeed! Ex: If I keep pushing myself, I will continue to improve. Ex: Keep running! We are almost there! Ex: Keep trying. I know you will figure it out.

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