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He kept crying vs He had continued crying

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'He kept crying' implies a continuous action in the past, while 'he had continued crying' suggests that the crying was ongoing at a specific point in the past. The choice between them depends on the context and the specific nuance the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: March 31, 2024

He kept crying

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a continuous action in the past.

This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone cried continuously over a period of time in the past.

Examples:

  • He kept crying throughout the movie.
  • She kept crying after hearing the news.
  • He kept crying: I'm cold.
  • He kept crying till I sent him bus money.
  • I kept crying and calling for him because my right leg was hurting.
  • Whether not recognizing me or ignoring me, she just kept crying.
  • When I came out there was a woman working on that hill who kept crying.
  • She kept crying on that hill.
  • So I kept crying and she kept holding me tight.
  • I'm so sorry I made you work on Christmas... but the kids kept crying for Brown Mommy.
  • She kept crying and I could take it.
  • Yes, but she kept crying!
  • No wonder that little girl kept crying and saying,
  • And kept crying until I felt empty.
  • They carried her down the hall... and... the white-haired man just kept crying.
  • When she first started drinking, she kept crying and asking what she was supposed to do.
  • It became less and less loud... but it kept crying for a very long time.
  • I know I got the swaddling thing down, but the baby kept on crying.
  • You kept stirring and crying out.
  • You held my hand so tightly, it was the only thing that kept me from crying.
  • (CRYING) He kept asking for it back.
  • He kept talking about an attack.

Alternatives:

  • he continued crying
  • he was crying
  • he cried persistently
  • he didn't stop crying
  • he was in tears

He had continued crying

This phrase is correct and conveys the idea that the crying was ongoing at a specific point in the past.

This phrase is used to emphasize that the crying had been ongoing up to a certain point in the past.

Examples:

  • By the time I arrived, he had continued crying for hours.
  • He had continued crying until his friends arrived.
  • You know, I'm thinking that if he had continued to treat Major Dunham, his notes might still be there in the hospital records.
  • What happened was, he had discovered evidence that the spying for Germany had continued, even after Dreyfus was in prison.
  • At around 3 to 4 a.m. on the morning of 4 September, masked men abducted Ali Khanbiev from his home in the village of Benoi (Chechnya), where he had continued to work as a doctor in the local hospital.
  • Giuliano had continued to kidnap, blackmail and kill.
  • If the hadrosaur had continued to evolve over the last 65 million years, extrapoIate the most probable appearance. extrapolation complete.
  • The hard times which occurred after the Civil War could have been avoided if the Greenback legislation had continued as President Lincoln had intended.
  • If we had continued to remove that water, we would have destroyed them all.
  • I noted with satisfaction, on behalf of the Council, that Cuba had continued to be very active in various international and regional forums.
  • In the letters Chris wrote me from college, it was clear his anguish and problems with Mom and Dad had continued.
  • You see, I thought I had taken some rest, but really my brain had continued to work on it.
  • If we had continued decorating by hand... I'd have been a plate painter all my life.
  • I say that sooner or I had continued drogarmi to... I would have lost everything.
  • During the Hearing it became clear that the investigation had continued after the SO was sent.
  • In addition, the Commission was not sure how HSCz had continued production without working capital and whether it had received other financial aid.
  • In the letters Chris wrote me from college, it was clear his anguish and problems with Mom and Dad had continued.
  • If we had continued for a few more laps, I am sure Ayrton would have passed him.
  • The Greek authorities have discovered that over 4000 people who had been dead for some time had continued to receive retirement pensions for years.
  • At the end of 2002 the total liability was already large, at EUR 273 million, and it had continued to grow significantly over the period since then.
  • After the crosses in the stone the expedition had continued for the river.
  • If you had continued to read Article 15, concerning student-council elections... you'd know that once the votes have been certified... a faculty sponsor must approve any request for a re-count.

Alternatives:

  • he had been crying
  • he had not stopped crying
  • he had persisted in crying
  • he had been in tears
  • he had been sobbing

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