# keep talking

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/keep-talking
Updated: 2026-07-26

## Definition

to continue speaking without stopping.

For teachers: to maintain a verbal discourse; the verb 'keep' functions as an aspectual catenative verb followed by a gerund to indicate continuous or repeated action.

## Examples

- Please keep talking while I take notes.
- Even though the fire alarm went off, the professor decided to keep talking until the end of the slide.
- The witness was instructed to keep talking despite the frequent interruptions from the opposing counsel.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He kept to talk for an hour." but "He kept talking for an hour." — the verb 'keep' must be followed by a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive with 'to'.

## Usage notes

- always followed by the -ing form of the verb, never the infinitive.
- Teaching tip: use this to practice the 'keep + -ing' pattern for continuous actions; contrast with 'start talking' or 'stop talking'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.