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.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To repeatedly ask, complain, or talk about something in a way that becomes irritating or tiresome, especially when directed at someone.
'keep on' also has the more basic meaning 'continue'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
She kept on at me to tidy my room until I finally gave in.
Some parents keep on at their children about studying, which can sometimes have the opposite effect and demotivate them.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She keeps on me to tidy my room.
Say: She keeps on at me to tidy my room.
For the 'nagging' sense, it's 'keep on AT someone'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'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 me
- about it
- and on
- nagging
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- keep on (continue) — 'keep on' also has the more basic meaning 'continue'; this is the advanced sense.