I've been telling you vs I've kept telling you

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'I've been telling you' is used to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action of telling, while 'I've kept telling you' is used to emphasize the persistence or repetition of the action. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to highlight the continuous aspect or the repeated nature of the telling.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 397 views

I've been telling you

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action of telling.

This phrase is used to emphasize that the action of telling has been happening continuously over a period of time.

Examples:

I've been telling you for weeks to clean your room.
She's been telling him to stop smoking, but he won't listen.

Show examples from the web [+]

It is... I've been telling you that for weeks now.
Look, I've been telling you this for thre weeks.
I've been telling you that for years.
Pete, I've been telling you what's happening.
Pete, I've been telling you what's happening.
I've been telling you about Nina and nobody listens.
I've been telling you all along, Marie...
This just proves what I've been telling you from the beginning.
So remember what I've been telling you.
I've been telling you all night.
I've been telling you for years.
That's what I've been telling you.
I've been telling you for years that I love this dish.
I've been telling you that for centuries.
I've been telling you for years.
They're the ones I've been telling you.
So this is Lucas, the boy I've been telling you about.
Which is what I believe I've been telling you all along.
Everyone, these are my friends; the ones I've been telling you about.
What I've been telling you about the trouble and drugs.

Alternatives:

I've been informing you
I've been explaining to you

I've kept telling you

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the persistence or repetition of the action of telling.

This phrase is used to emphasize that the action of telling has been happening repeatedly or persistently.

Examples:

I've kept telling you not to touch that.
She's kept telling him to call his mother, but he never does.

Show examples from the web [+]

I've kept telling you
The doctors kept telling you how little is known about the brain.
I kept telling you Koringo was involved!
Which is why I kept telling you not to make it.
And you tried on these beautiful Italian sandals, and I kept telling you that they were too expensive.
I kept telling you not to, but you wouldn't listen.
It's like I kept telling you, all I needed to do was talk to Wendi about my feelings.
I kept telling you to leave it alone!
He kept telling me there was stuff he couldn't share with me and I've been going a little crazy trying to figure out what that stuff is.
I kept telling him it wasn't his fault.
And - and my friends kept telling me to run.
He kept telling me he was all right.
You know, I kept telling Cornell it was enough.
Everything kept telling me not to.
But you kept telling me how beautiful I was.
I kept telling him, I am not sharing...
That's what Neil kept telling me...
They kept telling me to fill out more forms.
He kept telling me to cross my legs.
Everyone kept telling me to lighten up, have fun.
I looked away, and I kept telling myself...

Alternatives:

I've continued telling you
I've persisted in telling you

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