Start, Keep and Stop: describing an action in progress.
Let's take a look at three useful constructions in English: to start, to keep and to stop (doing something).
To start (doing something) and to stop (doing something) are commonly used to describe when actions begin and end.
• They are often used in the imperative, followed by a verb ending in -ing:
To start (doing something) and to stop (doing something) are commonly used to describe when actions begin and end.
• They are often used in the imperative, followed by a verb ending in -ing:
Stop making faces. Don't make faces any more.
Don't start eating until I say so. Don't begin eating until I tell you to begin.
• When to start and to stop are used in verb forms other than the imperative, they may be followed by a verb in the infinitive instead. Note that using the infinitive sometimes changes the meaning of the phrase.
The verb to keep is commonly used to describe when an action continues. It is always followed by a verb ending in -ing.
Keep (on) moving! Don't stop moving!
Note: The verb to continue is similar to keep, however, it is rarely used in the imperative, and rarely to give encouragement. We don't say: 'Continue like that!'. Instead we say:
Keep on going! Keep it up! Keep up the good work! Don't stop! Maintain that good work!
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