Phone kept on ringing vs Phone keep on ringing

The correct phrase is "phone kept on ringing." The word "kept" is the correct past tense form of the verb to use in this context. "Phone keep on ringing" is incorrect; in this context, the singular present tense form would be "keeps."

Explained by Camille
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 19, 2025 • 5040 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"Phone kept on ringing"

This phrase is used to describe a situation where the phone was continuously ringing in the past.

Examples:

The phone kept on ringing, but I couldn't answer it.
I heard the phone kept on ringing all night long.

Show examples from the web [+]

There was a mountain of paperwork, and then the phone kept on ringing, and then the Deputy Commissioner comes in and -
I tried to call to see what food you wanted, but the phone kept ringing.
I was starving, the phone kept ringing,
She kept on ringing the buzzer.
I just pressed the bell and it kept on ringing
You picked up, the phone kept dying.
The phone kept dropping out, but Shaw gave the okay.
I did, but the woman on the phone kept yelling at me about budget cuts, like it was my fault.
If it were a demon, it would keep on ringing.
The same information shall be kept on competent authority records.
Two other vessels are kept on separate charters.
Individual training records should be kept on file.
So we kept on going, and this camel kept on trying to take a chunk out of my leg.
Mr. Popper, what is my policy on ringing phones in the classroom?
This is the woman I'm planning on ringing in the new year with.
He kept on hitting me, so I kept on slapping him.
No! You kept on going, because you had your family.
And in those seven years I've kept on thinking... about standing here before you like this.
We kept on talking... and then that bar closed too.
A Kurdish boy kept on following me.

This phrase is incorrect in English.

"Phone keep on ringing"

Show examples from the web [+]

The phone keeps ringing but all I want to do is watch this airplane coverage.
Why do you think the phone keeps ringing?
She doesn't want the phone to keep ringing.
The phone keeps on ringing.
If it were a demon, it would keep on ringing.
Jonathan, these cheap phones keep on shattering!
She kept on ringing the buzzer.
Her phone keeps going to voice mail.
This phone keeps all the food coming to the gate.
Your phone keeps cutting me off.
I just pressed the bell and it kept on ringing
Hank's off the reservation And his phone keeps going to voice mail.
Hank's off the reservation And his phone keeps going to voice mail.
I was looking for Jeremy, and his cell phone keeps going straight to voicemail.
Mr. Popper, what is my policy on ringing phones in the classroom?
This is the woman I'm planning on ringing in the new year with.
I've been trying to reach her, but her phone keeps going to voicemail, so...
But he keeps on about everything.
Life has to keep on growing on their feet.
You got to keep on living.

Alternatives:

phone kept on ringing
phone was ringing continuously
phone would not stop ringing
phone rang incessantly
phone was constantly ringing

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Phone kept on ringing vs Phone keep on ringing

"Phone kept on ringing"

"Phone keep on ringing"

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