Morrison: kept on reigniting

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Marius Hancu - 15 Jan 2010 12:44 GMT

Hello:

Any difference, in AmE, between
"kept on reigniting"
and
"kept up reigniting?"

---
[Ruth thinks back at her father, the only person who ever cared for
her]

Later it was just important for me to know that he was in the world.
When he left it, I kept on reigniting that cared-for feeling that I
got from him.

Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon, p. 124
---
--
Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Cheryl - 15 Jan 2010 12:49 GMT

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thanks.
> Marius Hancu

"Kept on" means "continued". "Kept up" usually means "maintained", and
although it can mean "continue", I don't think it does in this sentence.

You keep up a house (maintain it); keep up with someone walking (keep
pace with them) and possibly tell a child "If you keep up with that
whining, you won't get any candy" (meaning continue). But the 'continue'
meaning is less common than it is for "keep on".

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Cheryl

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2010

Morrison: kept on reigniting