Meaning trap

keep on

persist annoyingly

To repeatedly ask, complain, or talk about something in a way that becomes irritating or tiresome, especially when directed at someone.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

persist annoyingly

To repeatedly ask, complain, or talk about something in a way that becomes irritating or tiresome, especially when directed at someone.

keep on (continue)

'keep on' also has the more basic meaning 'continue'; this is the advanced sense.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

She kept on at me to tidy my room until I finally gave in.interpersonal
Some parents keep on at their children about studying, which can sometimes have the opposite effect and demotivate them.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: keep on at someone (about something)

WrongShe keeps on me to tidy my room.

RightShe keeps on at me to tidy my room.

For the 'nagging' sense, it's 'keep on AT someone'.

Patternkeep on at someone (about something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff He repeatedly raised the subject in an irritating manner.

Natural He kept on at me about it.

'Keep on at someone' captures the nagging in a phrase; the long version is stiff.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

keep on at + person
at meabout itand onnagging

Don't confuse it

Unlike the basic sense of 'keep on' (to continue doing something), this sense specifically refers to repeatedly bothering or nagging someone, often causing annoyance.

keep on (continue) — 'keep on' also has the more basic meaning 'continue'; this is the advanced sense.

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